Family kitten sadly run over, prompting Sidmouth boy to launch speed awareness campaign

A little boy whose family kitten was run over has partnered up with a highways boss and the fire service to raise awareness of road safety.

Alfie, of Manstone, Sidmouth, has designed a special logo which will now also be used by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service for Road Safety Week - on November 16 to 22.

As well as this, he will be joining Councillor Stuart Hughes, responsible for Highways at Devon County Council, to make a special video reminding people to keep to the 20mph speed limit on residential roads.

This inspiring 11-year-old got in touch with the council after his little sister's cat - Robin - was found with injuries that vets believe were caused by a road traffic incident.

Alfie's mum Laura Southcott said she woke up one morning to find the little moggie curled up on the doorstep.

After realising something wasn't right, Laura took Robin to the vets and they discovered he had spinal and severe nerve damage.

Laura said: "The vets gave him painkillers and told us to return the next day for X-rays. Jurassic Vets were amazing throughout this, they were absolute heroes. 

"They said this kind of spinal damage was caused when their tails are yanked so hard it separates their vertebrae.

"I asked if it could have been done by someone pulling his tail but they said it could have only been done by a road traffic accident.

"Because of his injuries he couldn't go the toilet so I had to take him back to the vets everyday so they could help him wee by giving him medication.

"Then they gave him laxatives, so I had a kitten that didn't know when he pooing, it was getting all over him and the house.

"This carried on for a week, he was miserable. I also had to keep bathing him and he wasn't getting any better.

"Sadly the vets said it would be best to have him put to sleep so he wasn't suffering anymore." 

Laura said Alfie, who has been involved in lots of schemes including his work as a Sidmouth Plastic Warrior and raising money for the Australian bush fires, decided this wasn't on.

The Sidmouth College student decided to get in touch with the council and asked them to put up 20mph sighs on the roads near his home.

This led to Cllr Hughes asking Alfie to design a logo so they could run a campaign about speed awareness in built-up areas. 

Laura said: "I am so proud of him, I think he is going to end up being a councillor himself when he is older. He cares so much about the community."