Social media images of people riding motor bikes without helmets while holidaying in South East Asia was the driving force behind a safety campaign which had its beginnings in St George.
The Nicole Fitzsimons Foundation helmet pledge is a campaign which aims to educate young Australians on travel safety.
Kate Fitzsimons dedicates her life to warning Aussie travellers on deadly holiday dangers following the death of her sister Nicole in 2012.
Nicole, from Sans Souci, was a 24-year-old trainee sports journalist when she was killed in a tragic motorbike accident in Thailand.
The foundation's goal is to get people to pledge to always wear a helmet on a motorbike no matter where you travel - a pledge that would have saved Nicole's life.
"I had students from my school talks tagging me in posts trying to get me to explain to that person why they need to put a helmet on - once people have heard Nicole's story and the alarming statistics, their attitude to risk taking changes completely," Kate said.
"I wanted somewhere our supporters could pledge their commitment to safety overseas and encourage their friends to do the same.
"I also wanted a pledge counter so we can have social proof of the impact the campaign is having and to change the group mentality from being 'you're cool to ride without a helmet', to 'you're a fool if you do'.
"I know this is a pledge that could have saved my sister's life, so I hope that it saves at least one in her honour. "
They are trying to raise awareness of the pledge campaign and achieve the goal of 10,000 pledges by the end of 2019.
"My message is definitely not against traveling," Kate said.
"Nicole loved exploring the world more than anything and I am an avid traveller myself, it's just inspiring tourists to do so in a way that keeps their safety first no matter where they are in the world.
"If you wouldn't take that risk at home, don't take it overseas "
You can take the travel pledge at www.nicolefitzsimons.com/pledge
The Nicole Fitzsimons Foundation is having its Colourful Ball Fundraiser on Saturday, June 15 at Sharkies Leagues club with Channel 9's Erin Molan the MC.
Details and tickets can be purchased here
