October Edition 2004
 
 
 
 

Local MP Joins Community in Campaign Against Speeding
By Lisa Smith


Baby Josh in the arms of his auntie, Millie Robinson

A COMMUNITY has united together following the death of a tiny two year-old boy who was struck by a speeding car and left for dead on a city street.
Irish, English and Asian residents in Alum Rock have joined the family and friends of little Josh Berrill in organising a road safety campaign in the toddler's name following his death on August 25.
He was mown down by a white Toyota MR2 car which also struck his auntie Millie Robinson, aged 13, a pupil at Archbishop Grimshaw School in Chelmsley Wood. The pair were crossing Burney Lane on a trip to buy sweets.
Campaigners hope to bring about speed restrictions on Burney Lane where the incident happened and also want stiffer penalties for drivers who fail to stop after killing and injuring pedestrians.
The campaign has been backed by the area's Labour MP for Hodge Hill Liam Byrne and a trust fund has also now been established by friends of Josh's mother Nona Robinson, 21 and grandmother Rosa.
So far friends have raised more than £900 to help the family, who are of Irish descent, to pay for the costs of Josh's funeral at Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church in Stechford.
The money was collected during recent Premiership football matches at Birmngham City and Villa Park and friends say the appeal will go on as they try to help the family pay for a fitting headstone for the tiny little boy who was loveably known as Bosh or Little Man.
Family friend Catherine Swallow, who is organising the appeal with Tracey Griffin and Sharon Williams, said: "We have now planned a fund-raising night at the William Sutton Trust Community Centre in Alum Rock on October 23 when we plan a disco, a buffet and a raffle.
"Every penny from the event will go to Josh's family for the headstone and to help Nona and her partner Thomas Gordon who are expecting a baby in December."
Members of the trust were at the Asda store in Coventry Road, Hay Mills on Tuesday to start the latest wave of fund-raising by collecting a giant stuffed toy which the store has donated and which will be auctioned off at the social event.
Catherine said: "We are so grateful to Asda for their support and would urge anyone else who wants to make a donation or who wants to attend the event to contact me on 0121-689-3386."


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