Aaron wins Fire Service award for his work with Olivia’s Story

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s Student Enrichment Officer Aaron Beacher was presented with the Community Safety Partner award at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s annual awards.

Aaron received the award on behalf of the Grŵp, for his work in bringing powerful road safety film ‘Olivia’s Story’ to students across North Wales.

Olivia Alkir, from Efenechtyd near Ruthin, died in 2019 following a collision caused by two young drivers racing. She was just 17.

‘Olivia’s Story’ is a heart-breaking film recounting the events surrounding the crash, in which two of her friends also suffered life-changing injuries.

The film was produced in conjunction with North Wales Police, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and other agencies as part of a campaign to try and prevent further tragedies.

It was shown last year at the Grŵp’s campuses in Dolgellau, Llangefni, Rhos-on-Sea and Rhyl, with further screenings planned over the coming months.

During the Fire Service’s annual awards ceremony last night (Thursday, October 3), Aaron was recognised for his work in ensuring ‘Olivia’s Story’ reached as many students as possible.

Aaron said: “I’m honoured to receive this award. It is vital that we continue to deliver this session to all our learners across Grŵp Llandrillo Menai.

“Hearing what our learners took from the sessions, it was very reassuring to know that Olivia’s Story is powerful and effective.

“It is so important that we educate ourselves and take precautions while in a vehicle, whether that is as a passenger or as a driver.

“I look forward to continuing our work with North Wales Fire and Rescue and North Wales Police to keep delivering this powerful message across Grŵp Llandrillo Menai.

"It was a really humbling insight to hear about the work carried out by North Wales Fire and Rescue service throughout North Wales. It was also a privilege to see firefighters receive awards for 20, 30 and 40-plus years of service, along with bravery awards."

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s annual awards, held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, celebrate the achievements of individuals and groups who have contributed to the community in North Wales.

Dawn Docx, Chief Fire Officer for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Our heartfelt congratulations to Grŵp Llandrillo Menai who were the worthy recipients of our Community Safety Partner Award in our 2024 Community Awards.

“This award recognises the work of partner agencies or public bodies who work in partnership with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service in their quest to deliver vital community safety messages.

“Our work as a Fire and Rescue Service does not just involve tackling house fires. We attend a high number of road traffic collisions and work tirelessly with partner agencies to help educate drivers about the potentially fatal consequences of speeding or not paying attention while driving.

“It is well documented that young drivers aged 16-24 are disproportionately likely to be casualties in road traffic collisions. In Wales, this age group makes up 11 per cent of the population but 22 per cent of all casualties.

“Olivia’s Story is a valuable educational resource that recounts the terrible tragedy that resulted in the untimely death of Olivia Alkir. Olivia was a young adult who was killed in a road traffic collision where the young drivers involved were driving dangerously and with excessive speed. The resource that is targeted towards young people aged between 17 and 25 seeks to highlight the consequences of reckless driving in a bid to prevent future tragedies.

“Aaron at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has provided North Wales Fire and Rescue Service with the opportunity to deliver Olivia’s Story to more than 1,000 students at seven different college sites between Rhyl and Dolgellau. Many of these students are either learning to drive or have recently passed their driving tests.

“The session is quite hard-hitting and can be upsetting, and as a result staff also ensure that the students have access to a welfare officer if they need to talk after every session.

“Working in partnership in this way is key to protecting our communities – and our thanks go to Grŵp Llandrillo Menai for their work in supporting the rollout of this powerful initiative.”

Since Olivia’s death, her mum Jo Alkir has been campaigning for a black box to be fitted to every young person’s car to monitor driving.

‘Olivia’s Story’ was produced as part of that campaign. The film features dash-cam footage from another vehicle that was not involved in the crash, as well as recordings of the 999 call, and interviews with Olivia’s parents and friends.

When the film was shown at the Grŵp’s campuses last year, it was accompanied by a lesson from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service on the ‘Fatal 5’ - the main factors that cause serious road traffic collisions.

The Fatal 5 are:

• Careless and dangerous driving
• Drink and drug driving
• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Using a mobile phone
• Speeding

The sessions were well attended by students from a wide range of courses, including Health & Social Care, Sport, IT, Public Services, A-levels and Construction.

For more information about Olivia’s Story and the ongoing campaign to have a black box fitted to every young person’s car, visit Olivia Alkir – In Olivia's memory