Walk forward: Leave a legacy for better streets
Create streets where everyone can walk safely, confidently and happily – now and for generations to come.
Find out more about leaving a gift in your Will in our legacy booklet.
Our legacy began with a simple belief – streets should be safe for everyone
Living Streets was founded in 1929, at a time when cars were new and the rules of the road barely existed. There were no speed limits, no traffic lights, no driving tests, no safe crossings — and no real protection for pedestrians.
The consequences were devastating. Pedestrians, including children, were being killed and seriously injured in shocking numbers. Streets that should have been places to walk, talk and play became dangerous and unforgiving.
From the very beginning, Living Streets stood up for people. We campaigned, lobbied government, and challenged the idea that roads were only for cars. Over the decades, our work helped bring about changes that many of us now take for granted:
• Zebra crossings to give pedestrians priority
• Speed limits to reduce danger and save lives
• Driving tests and the Highway Code, helping create shared rules and responsibilities
• Safer street design, clearer crossings and better protection for people walking
• More recently, progress on issues like pavement parking bans and stronger pedestrian priority rules
These changes have transformed everyday life. Thanks to sustained campaigning and public pressure, the number of pedestrians killed or seriously injured on our roads has fallen dramatically compared to the early days of motoring.
But our work is far from finished...
Why your legacy is needed
Despite progress, too many people are still being killed or seriously injured on our roads today.
Behind every statistic is a family, a community, and a life changed forever.
Nine-year-old Alice tragically lost her life on our roads while walking to school. Her mum, Claire shares her heartbreaking story. It is a reminder of why Living Streets exists and why we must keep going.
Alice's story
Alice tragically lost her life on our roads while walking to school. Her mum, Claire shares her story. It is a reminder of why Living Streets exists and why we must keep going.
When my children started primary school, I worried about the four‑lane road beside it. Cars regularly sped well above the limit. Like so many parents, I accepted the constant stress of keeping my children safe as part of everyday life.
On 8 July 2023, we approached the school crossing together. The traffic lights were red. The cars had stopped. I had Joseph’s hand in one of mine and our coats and shopping in the other. Alice was just a step ahead, when a driver overtook the stationary cars, ran the red light at speed, and hit her.
Two pink and black trainers, a broken wing mirror, and an innocent, nine-year-old girl lay on the ground. My precious daughter never regained consciousness.
We used the crossing exactly as intended — yet it became a death trap. Alice’s death showed me that road danger is treated as collateral damage, even though it is preventable. People should not lose their lives simply for walking to school.
I want a culture where dangerous driving is unacceptable, and streets are designed to protect people – not just cars. Alice’s right to live mattered more than someone else’s need for speed.
A gift in your Will changes lives
Help us keep campaigning for action that saves lives. By leaving a gift in your will, you can protect future generations and carry a 100 year movement forward — helping create streets where everyone can walk, wheel, scoot and cycle safely, confidently and happily.
Your legacy gift could help Living Streets
• Campaign for safer crossings, lower speed limits, and pavement parking bans.
• Make walking to school safe for every child through Walk to School campaigning.
• Improve children’s mental and physical health through active travel.
• Help older people remain mobile and independent via better pavements and lighting.
• Support women’s safety with well lit, people centred public spaces.
• Bring communities together through people friendly street design.
• Expand national research and policy influence to protect future generations.
• Reduce car dominance and improve air quality in towns and cities.
Make or update your Will for free
We’ve partnered with Farewill so you can write your Will for free. Farewill are the UK’s top-rated will writing experts providing advice online or over the phone. You can update your Will whenever life changes and access further guidance if your circumstances become more complex.
Get in touch with Living Streets
Whatever you decide, we are deeply grateful for your support. If you would like to talk through legacy options or need any further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.