Congratulations to Bernie Reddington, RNIB volunteer campaign coordinator for Norfolk, for winning the 2012 Sheila McKechnie Foundation Transport Award for people working to meet the transport challenges of our time.
"We're extremely proud of Bernie for winning this well deserved award and we look forward to working with her on other campaigning issues in the future."
Emily Papaleo, RNIB's Regional Campaigns Officer for East of England
The Sheila McKechnie Foundation campaign award
Bernie joins six other Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) Campaigner Award winners, who were announced on 18th September at a special ceremony hosted by Channel 4 newscaster and SMK Patron Jon Snow, at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square. The awards recognise the outstanding contribution that a new generation of campaigners are making towards achieving social, environmental and economic justice here in the UK. The winners will receive a tailored package of support to help them develop their campaign.
Bernie has been recognised for her work to improve bus travel for blind and partially sighted people, including her part in the local campaign to persuade Norfolk County Council to reinstate free 24/7 bus passes. The award was sponsored by Dr. Simon Norton and presented by Zac Goldsmith, MP and environmental campaigner.
Bernie said: "I'm thrilled to have won and can't quite believe it. Through education and liaison I would like to increase the understanding of decision makers, transport operators and the general public about the barriers which prevent people with sight loss from being fully independent and included members of their communities.
"Local bus travel is a lifeline, providing a sole means of transport within the community for those who are not able to drive and cannot fund repeated taxi journeys. As Norfolk is extremely rural, people with sight loss can feel very isolated. That's why this campaign was so important."
Linda Butcher, Chief Executive of SMK, said: "At a time when campaigners across the globe are taking action on issues they care about, it is extremely important to recognise the people across the UK who tackle the injustices and inequalities we face in our society. Our winners do just that. These inspiring individuals, from all walks of life, care deeply about an issue and have got great ideas about how to make things better. We eagerly look forward to the year ahead in supporting them to become even more effective in their campaigns".
Get involved
If, like Bernie, you want to make a difference in your local community why not become a volunteer campaigner. Drop us an email on campaigns@rnib.org.uk or call 020 7391 2123 and we'll put you in touch with your local campaigns officer.