Determined nieces launch road safety campaign after Gosport uncle's crash death

Less than five months after popular Gosport man Gary Martin lost his life, his nieces Michelle Ralph and Danielle Bennett are battling to make sure no-one else suffers the same pain.

They want changes at the junction of Kirpal Road and Eastern Road, Portsmouth, where moped rider Gary, 52, died last October.

They believe the junction would be made safer if there were traffic lights installed.

Michelle, 30, told The News: ‘When I visited Kirpal Road coming from Gosport, there are flowers at nearly every single bit along the road.

‘I know they won’t put traffic lights there because of timing, but if it makes someone else’s family not have to go through what we’ve gone through, it’s worth it.

‘Something like a two-minute wait going to work and stopping at a traffic light, I don’t think it’s a major thing when you know someone in your family can be safe.’

Michelle and Danielle, 29, have become volunteers for road safety charity Brake and aim to raise more than £1,500.

Michelle, of Naish Drive Gosport, spent four hours in her four-year-old son Quinn’s nursery teaching youngsters about road safety,

She said: ‘If we start at younger ages, they will have it in their heads and know how dangerous some vehicles are. It was hard though, I did have a cry afterwards.

She added: ‘I know how horrible it can be to go through that situation.

‘There’s nothing that is going to bring my uncle back, but if we can help anyone in that situation it would make me feel better.’

Danielle has already raised £1,000 after running the Portsmouth Coastal Waterside Marathon, which took her past the junction.

‘The run was very hard, but I’m glad I did it,’ she said.

Michelle is set to abseil from the Spinnaker Tower and also the Orbit sculpture at the Olympic Park in London to raise cash for Brake.

Gary died on October 26 last year after a collision with a Mitsubishi pick-up truck.

Mike Bristow, spokesman for Brake, the road safety charity, said: ‘We really value the support that Michelle and Danielle are giving to Brake.

‘As a charity we rely on the work of volunteers and fundraisers to make sure we can continue supporting victims’ families affected by needless road crashes.

‘Five people are killed on our roads every day. The brave work these girls are doing will hopefully help prevent further casualties.’

Donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/michelle-ralphn A man is to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court later this month over Mr Martin’s death.