Living Memorial for Motorway Victims

STAFFORDSHIRE'S National Arboretum will host a tree dedication service later this month in memory of those killed on the Midlands' motorway network.

The tree has been donated by members of the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG), who sold charity tie pins to fund the living memorial which has been planted in the arboretum's Road Peace Wood.

The dedication service takes place at 11.45am on Monday 27 September and will be attended by West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe and CMPG Commander Superintendent Dave Jones. The event will be led by CMPG Chaplain the Reverend Viv Baldwin, with police family liaison officers also present.

Special guests at the service will be Amanda and Phil Peak, the parents of Aaron and Ben Peak who were killed in a collision on the M6 in Staffordshire in June 2008. Coventry-born professional footballer Luke McCormick was subsequently sentenced to seven years and four months in prison for causing the brothers' death by dangerous driving.

The Peaks will be representing bereaved families and Amanda will actively contribute to the service.

CMPG Patrol Manager Inspector Mark Fullwood, of West Midlands Police, who is organising the event said: " Motorway officers have recognised the need for bereaved families to have a focal point that they can visit and reflect on the anniversaries of the deaths or birthdays of their loved ones. For safety reasons they cannot visit the collision scenes and the National Arboretum offers a beautiful environment as an alternative."

It is intended to hold an annual memorial service each May, for bereaved families and friends.