• Aimed at reducing the number of young people killed or seriously injured on the roads
• Alex Pettyfer, Stormbreaker, and Dani Harmer (BBC character Tracey Beaker) support the campaign along with business and local sponsorship
• Reliable Communications are vital to deal with these emergencies

Affiniti, the communications integrator, is pleased to be supporting Thames Valley Police in its campaign aimed at young drivers called "Safe Drive, Stay Alive".

Safe Drive Stay Alive is a film and theatre event for 16-18 year olds. It explores the circumstances that can lead to a crash on the road and the consequences that follow. More than 10,000 young people will visit venues across the Thames Valley in one week, starting on 6 November. In the last five years, 189 young people aged between 16 and 24 years were killed and 340 were seriously injured on the roads in the Thames Valley.

The campaign is the result of a partnership effort between Thames Valley Police, three fire and rescue services, the ambulance service, hospital accident and emergency staff, road safety officers from councils across the region and the Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership.

During the type of incidents highlighted by the campaign, reliable communications are vital to the emergency services. Affiniti provides Thames Valley Police with 24 hour management of their communications network across the Force's 14 main sites and works with them to evolve the service so that they continue to meet the demands of modern policing for voice, data and video communications.  We provide similar services to other Police and emergency service organisations throughout the UK.

Superintendent Mick Doyle, head of Roads Policing at Thames Valley Police, said: "We must do everything we can to try and reduce the number of young people being killed or seriously injured on the roads. Safe Drive Stay Alive is a huge campaign with a big audience and we are hoping we can really make a difference. We have had fantastic support from celebrities and businesses lending us their time, energy and financial support. This kind of backing reflects the importance of the campaign and that many people want to help teenagers to be safe on the road."

Stormbreaker's Alex Pettyfer and Dani Harmer who plays the BBC character Tracey Beaker, are just some of the stars turning out to support this massive new campaign to make young drivers and passengers aware of the risks on the roads. The campaign has also benefited from substantial sponsorship from Reed, the recruitment specialists, DriveTech (UK) and Affiniti, the Communications Integrator. Radio stations across the Thames Valley are also lending their support to the campaign, particularly Fox FM, 2Ten FM, Horizon radio and Mix 107.

Said Mark Longstaff, Head of Public Sector for Affiniti: "We are pleased to support this important initiative with Thames Valley Police.  All of us, and particularly those of us with teenage children, are very impressed with how well targeted the campaign is.  Sadly all too many of us know of families who have suffered exactly the type of tragedy depicted in the superbly produced film. We are confident that this carefully targeted, direct approach will help to save lives by making young people more aware of the dangers on the roads and we wish Thames Valley Police every success with the launch."

Supt Doyle said:" The shows will be hard-hitting and impactive. We will reach 10,000 young people directly this year and through publicity and our website (www.safedrive.org.uk) will let thousands of others know how they can be safer on the roads. We are ambitious and are looking to double our audience next year and will be seeking more financial support to be able to do this. We want to do everything we can to reduce the number of families that have to go through the grief of losing a son, daughter, brother or sister in a road crash."

The shows will take place at The Kings Centre in Oxford on 6 November, The Hexagon in Reading on 7 November, The Swan Theatre in Wycombe on 8 November, The New Theatre in Oxford on 9 November and the Open University in Milton Keynes on 10 November.

The Safe Drive Stay Alive website, www.safedrive.org.uk is packed with information about the film, the campaign and a competition offering young people a chance to win a mini iPod.

Notes to Media

Journalists

The campaign will be launched at the first event at 11am, The King's Centre, Oxford. The film show runs for just over an hour.

There will be a press briefing at 10.30 to arrange opportunities to interview celebrities, speakers from the stage event, sponsors and other dignitaries.

Photographers

There will be a 10 minute photo opportunity at 12.10 for celebrities and VIPs immediately after the show. We recommend that photographers arrive at 12.00.

The photo opportunity will be followed by interview opportunities.

To get an interview you will need to attend the press briefing.
To book your seat contact Annie Tysom of Thames Valley Police on 01865 846350.

Affiniti, the communications integrator, specialises in designing, implementing and managing intelligent communications solutions for private and public sector organisations.

Some of its customers include: Experian, Carphone Warehouse, British Airways, Ford, Admiral Insurance, Edinburgh Telford College , Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen Hospital , Cheshire Police, Citigroup, Lloyds TSB.

Affiniti is part of the KCOM Group.

KCOM Group PLC provides a range of integrated IT and communications services to businesses, and internet and telecommunications services to selected consumer markets, within the UK .

The Group's portfolio of businesses works with both leading private enterprise customers and public sector organisations. Through its Affiniti, Smart421 and JAM IP brands, the Group delivers solutions covering unified communications, contact centre solutions, data management, applications integration and managed services.

The KCOM Group also includes a regionally-focused business, Kingston Communications, which supports small to medium-sized businesses. Through its KC and Eclipse brands, the business offers a wide range of internet-based and telecommunications services. The regional business also provides telephony and internet services to targeted consumers through its KC, Eclipse and Karoo brands.

The Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange and employs over 2,700 people across the UK .

Dianne White
Affiniti
01442 883370
E: dianne.white@affiniti.com