Park walk in memory of people killed on roads

Calvin Buckley's partner Frankie Jules-Hough died after she was hit by a man driving at 123mph

A man whose "world was destroyed" when his partner and unborn child were killed by a dangerous driver has joined 150 people who have walked through a park to honour those killed on the roads.

Calvin Buckley, 41, joined other bereaved families for the "community mile" at Heaton Park in Manchester.

His partner Frankie Jules-Hough died after she was hit by a man filming himself driving at 123mph on the M66.

Mr Buckley said he wanted to join events like this to try make the roads safer, so other families "don't have to go through what we have".

Crowds walked a collective 173 miles – a mile for each North West road death in 2022

He told BBC Radio Manchester: "She pulled over to change a flat tyre. Frankie was seven weeks pregnant, we also lost our daughter.

"Our lives, our worlds were destroyed that day.

"Since then I have been getting involved trying to make roads safer."

Paula Allen's son Marcus was hit and killed by a speeding driver while out for a walk with a friend.

"I found him 120 yards down the road, the driver made off, abandoned the car and was missing for five days," the 52-year-old said.

"Marcus was laying on the road dying. His injuries were too severe to be saved.

"I never dreamed for one minute but that I would ever go home without Marcus, the effect it has is beyond profound."

Paula Allen's son Marcus was hit and killed by a speeding driver while out for a walk

Now in its fourth year, the park walk challenge has already raised £140,000 for RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims, as well as public awareness around road harm.

The families were also joined by around 120 Year 5 and 6 pupils from the E-ACT Blackley Academy on the walk.

"This is important because people are losing their lives," one pupil, Alkalo, said.

"Their families are getting upset because they are losing someone they really love.

Year five pupil Tobi said: "We're here to show respect to people who have lost their lives.

"If we didn't have road safety more people would die.

"If we spread awareness about road safety, less people will die and we will live more calm, peaceful lives."

Deputy head teacher Sarah White said the the school was situated on a busy road and families at the school had been badly affected by crashes on Manchester roads.

She said: "We need awareness between pedestrians and motorists.

"If we can start the children early and encourage them to use crossings rather than just flying across the road and encourage drivers to slow down."