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Local
MP Joins Community in Campaign Against Speeding
By Lisa Smith

Baby Josh in the arms of his auntie, Millie Robinson
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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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