iGradu8.com supports a new and exciting charity called HandsOff. iGradu8.com are currently working with Paul Newman the charity founder, Tesco Mobile, and design company Chemistry to produce a website for the charity, which should be live within a few weeks. The charity aims to increase the awareness of the dangers of driving with a mobile phone whilst driving. Although this act is illegal, it can be very difficult to prosecute, which is why rather than attempt to enforce the law with the police and government, HandsOff is attempting to raise the awareness so people stop doing it. Graduates are one of the most exposed groups of individuals to the dangers of this act:
Graduate Dies Texting Behind The Wheel
The charity was created after a very tragic story, Paul’s Story…
“On the 5th of January 2006 I received a phone call from my younger sister that changed my life forever”.
“It was unusual for my sister to call me at work so I was surprised when I heard her voice. I said hello to her and she burst out crying, my heart started pounding, I didn’t know what to expect and in those few seconds my mind was thinking all sorts. I have gone over that moment again and again and it still has the same effect on me, it’s not easy to write this down even after the few years that have passed, but what happened that day changed everything”.
“I would like you if you could to think about the one person in your life who is closest to you, the one you hug the most, the one you kiss goodnight, the one you toy fight with. It might be your husband or wife and the one you hope to spend the rest of your days with. It could be your little girl who you have just tucked up in bed or maybe its your big brother who would do anything for you (underneath he’s a big softy). Maybe it’s your mum, who has had a hard life but has always been there for you. It could also be your granddad who always brings you sweets when he comes to see you. Is it your soul mate? Or even someone you have had your differences with over the years but now its great, maybe you have just got to know your dad after all these years”.
Imagine now if in one split second… they were gone!
• No time for a last hug….not even a little one.
• No time to tell them how much you love them and how much they mean to you.
• Not even time to tell them that you were sorry for that silly argument.
• You will not be able call them next week to ask them about stuff.
• You will never see them again! Ever!
Do you know what changed things for ever that day? A MOBILE PHONE !
My beautiful sister Ellen was knocked down while walking home. She was on the pavement and yards from her house.
The young driver was using his mobile phone and lost control and ploughed into her. She didn’t stand a chance and died soon after.
We are a large family and some of my brothers and sisters are still too distressed to talk about what happened that day.
She had a difficult upbringing. Most people did in those days, but she was a fantastic doting mother and Ellen was also a grandmother to three lovely girls, who still ask for their nanna today.
The driver pleaded guilty and was banned from driving and fined. The family were outraged, but the law at that time meant he avoided a custodial sentence. The law has since changed and if this were to happen today it would be highly likely he would be jailed.
Soon after, and with the help of family and friends, I decided to start a campaign, first of all to raise awareness to the dangers of using a mobile phone when driving. Also to try to prevent the destruction that it has caused to Ellen’s family and friends from happening to others.
We would like to turn this tragedy into something positive and help others avoid terrible injuries and loss of life.
Ellen would have done this, she was that sort of beautiful caring person.
Love and miss you Ellen x
Handsoff is NOT just another campaign !
The dangers of using a mobile / cell phone are clearly documented. There is clear evidence that driving and using a phone don’t mix. Together they form a lethal cocktail and with more evidence being collected each day, it is becoming clear that to continue to do nothing is not an option.
