THE third annual Thurrock Ride 123- Pass Wide and Slow Awareness Ride 2024 took place today (Sunday, 15 September) to raise awareness about safety of horses, cyclists and pedestrians.

The ride was organised by Mrs Cornell Heiser and Thurrock Councillor Qaisar Abbas. The awareness ride started at 9.30am from Fanns Farm in Aveley and ended around 11am. The face painter painted children and participants' faces with different awareness messages before start of the ride.

More than 40 people including 10 horse riders, a cyclist, children and pedestrians participated in this awareness ride.

The ride was assisted by three Essex Police PCSOs and volunteers of Best British Centre and QAGS Foundation.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Roger Hirst, was invited as a special guest.

The ride organisers, in a joint statement, said: "It is very encouraging to see more people are joining our annual awareness rides.

"Our aim is to raise awareness about safety of horses, riders, cyclists, pedestrians and other road users in Thurrock and wider Essex. We thank all the participants, our guests, face painter and volunteers for their participation and contribution."

Mr Hirst, said: "I thank Mrs Heiser and Cllr Abbas for organising this awareness ride in Thurrock. We have recruited significant number of new Police Officers and our priority is safety of road users and to reduce crimes in Essex.

"We have put extra resources to address ASB and car cruising issues in Lakeside area. The events like this are increasing wider road safety awareness and I am pleased to see large number of participants."

Mr Hirst presented special rosettes to the riders, organisers and volunteers of Best British Centre and QAGS Foundation. The organisers also presented specially made rosettes to Mr Hirst and Essex Police Officers in recognition of their work.

Pass Wide and Slow (PWAS) is a national campaign to highlight passing vulnerable road users safely. The campaign encourages drivers to pass horses at a maximum 10mph speed, providing a two meter gap, which echoes the advice in The Highway Code.