Around 1,000 children will this week learn key aspects of road safety thanks to local magician David Randini, who is performing his Road Safety Magic Show at 7 different Isle of Wight primary schools.
The popular and educational show, which covers everything from wearing something bright at night to the classic ‘stop, look, listen’, is celebrating its 21st year. It has been brought up to date with messages about scooters, electric cars and mobile phones.
In 2001 David Randini started his Road Safety Magic Shows right here on the Island as he was appalled by the increase in child pedestrian accidents and fatalities – and personally saw the grief and distress that some families had to go through. It was put together with the guidance of the Isle of Wight Road Safety Unit, BRAKE the road safety charity and various Government departments.
His original aim was to perform 1 show at every Island Primary School. Little did he know that it would lead to performing nearly 1,500 shows at over 800 schools across the country.
Arvel, the car lease hire company, commissioned David to perform his shows as part of their road safety campaign performing 8 shows to over 2,500 pupils. This led to him being in demand all over the country appearing in Blackpool, London, Wales and returning to Swindon and Wiltshire over 30 times. He has even performed his shows as far away as Australia. A few years back he headlined the Isle Drive Safe campaign started by the Staley family.
Before the children break up for the Summer holidays, David will be performing a total of 14 shows at 7 Island primary schools, educating around 1,000 pupils.
Mr Randini has told Island Echo:
“These are probably some of the most important shows I perform – if only one life is saved, they are worth it. They teach the young children the basics and remind the older children of the dangers.
Article continues below this advertisement “I am indebted and humbled by the families like the Staley’s on the Island and others I have worked with around the country who have used their personal grief to help others. Performing these shows for them to help them feel that the loss of their children is not completely in vain is quite frankly very humbling indeed
“It’s hard to believe that I have been performing them for 21 years and being able to use my micro celebrity for good is most gratifying”.
Due to the high demand at the end of term many schools have asked him to perform in the Autumn Term where he hopes to perform his 1,500th show.
Mr Randini is fantastic very underated island entertainer.
David Randini is an absolute legend and best magician ever!
Excellent work from the Randini’s. Think it was his father I first saw as a kid.
Top bloke….he seems to have been around forever.