Hampshire's School Crossing Patrol of the Year 2009

Eastleigh lollipop man David Cottrell, has been voted Hampshire’s top School Crossing Patrol of the Year 2009.

Mr Cottrell, who patrol’s the Botley/Pavilion Close junction in Fair Oak, near to Fair Oak Infant and Junior School, won with his nomination from Sophie Currie who wrote a poem about him:

Councillor Mel Kendal and Sophie, present school crossing patrol winner David Cottrell with his certificate.

"There is a very special lollipop man,

He goes by the name of Dave,

The road is very busy,

So he must be very brave,

No matter what the weather is,

He will always smile and wave,

He keeps us safe as we cross the road,

Our favourite lollipop man Dave!"

by Sophie, aged 6 from Fair Oak Infant School

David was over the moon about being nominated and continues to be enthusiastic about his job. He enjoys every minute of his job, from meeting people and doing beneficial for the community. When asked about what he likes most about his job, he replied "it keeps me younger and fitter" and has "changed my life".

School corssing patrol winner David Cottrell with his trophy

Competition

The County Council ran the competition to discover Hampshire’s top School Crossing Patrol, sponsored by Basingstoke design agency The Escape, to show appreciation and recognition for the valuable job school crossing patrols do by getting children safely across busy roads, helping to keep communities safe. The closing date was in February and we received over 600 entries from school children, parents and teachers giving their reasons why ‘their’ lollipop person is the best.

With 259 manned sites in Hampshire (excluding Southampton/Portsmouth) the judging panel had a very difficult job picking the 11 district finalists, let alone David as the winner!

As Hampshire’s SCP of the Year, David won £500 worth of Marks and Spencer’s vouchers kindly donated by the Escape and a trophy; with all 11 finalists each receiving a School Crossing Patrol of the Year district finalist trophy and £25 voucher. A road safety goody bag was given to the children of the families who submitted their winning nominations.