Kev Kennedy (age 65) is the new crossing patrol helping keep children and adults safe at one of Scunthorpe’s busiest junctions, Berkeley Circle.
On average, almost 28,000 vehicles pass by Berkeley Circle every day.
The area has been without a crossing patrol for eight months But following an appeal North Lincolnshire Council put out on social media, the vacancy has now been filled.
Kev, originally from Crewe, Cheshire has lived in Scunthorpe since 1957. He was a mechanical engineer and has worked all over including Kuwait, Holland and Germany before he retired.
He now wants to put something back into the community: “I’m retired and was looking for something to help fill my day when I saw the advert on Facebook and thought, why not?” Kev said.
“Having lived in Scunthorpe all these years, I wanted to give something back to the community. And the money is always useful too.
“I like to keep myself fit and go swimming at The Pods five mornings a week, Monday to Friday. Plus I walk the dog twice a day, so this job is ideal as it gets me out in the fresh air, helps keep people safe, and it enables me to keep active, while getting paid.
“Teaching the kids to cross the road safely is paramount, especially at such a busy junction, and I hope to help prevent any accidents. I am really looking forward to it and I hope I do a good job.”
There are a number of vacancies for school crossing patrols in and around Scunthorpe. For more details, visit www.northlincs.gov.uk or call 01724 297000.
The job doesn’t just entail getting the kids to school safely, Kev helps people of all ages, including 82-year-old Patricia Dickson:
“I got to know the last crossing patrol really well and I hope to do the same with the new one. I find it a great help as it is a really busy junction. I walk everywhere and cross this busy road every Wednesday to go to the hairdressers and I sometimes go to M&S. You just don’t know if cars are going to stop sometimes when you step out onto the road; the crossing patrol is a real help.”
Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said:
“I’m pleased that the council has been able to recruit to this busy junction. School crossing patrols do an amazing job in helping keep people of all ages safe – not just children going to and from school, but older people too, who need that helping hand. I’m confident Kev will do a fantastic job and wish him well.”
