Duo making a difference

Feb 20 2008

A MOTHER and daughter team is helping hundreds of school-children get to classes safely every day.

Working just one mile apart from each other in Dorridge, Kath and Mary Vale cross children from Arden School, St George and St Teresa RC Primary School, Bentley Heath School and Kingsley Preparatory School.

And the duo have become so popular among parents and teachers that a nearby road has been named after them, with Kath being awarded an MBE in this year's New Year Honours List.

But Kath and Mary also have a lot to thank the children for too.

Grandmother Mrs Vale, aged 75, said: "Fourteen years ago my husband died and I wasn't sure if I could carry on.

"But then the children at Bentley Heath School started holding my hand when they crossed the road.

"It was that little bit of love that I needed in the morning and afternoon that really helped me through the hard times.

"The ones who cross the road and hold my hand now don't realise how it started but they still grab hold anyway.

"It's small things like that that are so precious in life."

Just round the corner from Mrs Vale's Widney Road crossing is her 37-year-old daughter, Mary, who patrols Station Road.

Between them they cross more than 50 children from four schools every day.

And both mum and daughter agree that a lollipop lady is crucial if children are going to get to school in one piece each day.

Mary, who has been a lollipop lady since 1994, said: "It is a very important job.

"We would fear for the safety of children every day if there wasn't someone there to stop the traffic.

"As long as the public liaise with us then there's a good chance they will be kept safe.