Inspirational road safety campaigner named ROSPA Archangel

A tireless road safety campaigner, who is fighting to make Britain’s roads a safer place for all users following the death of her daughter, has landed a prestigious award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Nazan Fennell, from Kings Heath, Birmingham, has been named an Archangel, the highest honour in the RoSPA Guardian Angel Awards scheme which recognises individuals who go above and beyond to improve the safety of others.

Nazan’s 13-year-old daughter, Hope, was cycling home from school when she was knocked off her bicycle and killed by an HGV in 2011. The incident happened just yards from where she lived, and in the moments leading up to the collision, the driver of the HGV had been exchanging text messages. He was subsequently convicted of dangerous driving.

Since losing her daughter, Nazan has become a very passionate road safety campaigner. Her campaign, Live In Hope, seeks to make a difference locally and nationally with aims including restricting access for HGVs on “unsuitable roads” and increasing the number of safer cycle routes.

Nazan was also instrumental in helping RoSPA to deliver this year’s Family Safety Week – the theme of which was safer cycling. Throughout the Week, she proved to be an inspirational advocate for the cause of accident prevention.

Nazan received her award last night from Lord Jordan of Bournville CBE, former President of RoSPA, and the charity’s chief executive Tom Mullarkey during a ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

Mr Mullarkey said: “Nazan is truly a hero in the accident prevention field, dedicating all of her time to ensure that as many lives as possible remain unchanged by the devastation accidents can cause.

“Nazan’s love for her daughter, and caring for the people of Birmingham, shines through in her tireless efforts to ensure that Hope did not die in vain. She shares RoSPA’s vision of making Britain’s roads safe for all users, and it is through people like Nazan that we can make a real difference.”

Further Guardian Angel Awards presentations will take place in Glasgow in September, while other winners, who are unable to attend a ceremony, will receive their awards through the post. Guardian Angel Awards presentations are taking place as part of the RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2015.