Lucy Harrison, a dedicated advocate for safer roads and a tireless volunteer, has been awarded the prestigious Annual Mansoor Chaudhry Award for Outstanding Contribution to RoadPeace 2024.
This accolade recognises her significant efforts and unwavering commitment to supporting road crash victims, campaigning for justice and reducing reduce road danger.
Lucy is employed as the part-time RoadPeace West Mercia Project Outreach Coordinator, providing support and information to victims of serious injury collisions, as well as bereaved families and witnesses.
But beyond her professional role, she volunteers as the Coordinator of the West Midlands and West Mercia Local Support Group and the RoadPeace Siblings Groups.
Her journey with RoadPeace began tragically after her brother, Peter, was killed in a hit-and-run crash by a speeding driver in 2014. Her personal experience has fuelled her passion and dedication to the cause, driving her to support others who have endured similar losses.
Over the years, Lucy has been part of a number of important projects to reduce road harm and to support the rights of road crash victims and bereaved families. These include:
- Campaigning to change post mortem practices and delays, to prevent more families going through this additional and unnecessary pain and suffering
- She wrote a joint letter to the Lord Chancellor & Secretary of State for Justice, the Rt Hon. Alex Chalk KC, regarding fears over reckless and dangerous driving in Birmingham, alongside Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands; Adam Tranter, the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner and Graeme Brown, Editor of the Birmingham Mail
- She provided written evidence to the Government, alongside Action Vision Zero, calling for a new charge of failing to remain at the scene of a serious injury or fatal collision
- She has regularly told her story publicly to raise awareness around road harm and the lasting impact of crashes. Watch her story here
- Coordinating an art display at Birmingham Cathedral created in partnership between RoadPeace West Midlands and Birmingham Youth Offending Service
- Organising an annual service in Birmingham to mark World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims in November
Lucy’s impactful work has not gone unnoticed. Last year, the RoadPeace West Midlands Group, under her coordination, received the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK. This recognition highlights the group’s exceptional voluntary work and its positive impact on the community.
“Lucy Harrison embodies the spirit of RoadPeace,” said Nick Simmons, CEO of RoadPeace. “Her dedication, empathy and relentless advocacy for road danger reduction and justice have made a profound difference in the lives of many. This award is a testament to her outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to our mission.”
The Mansoor Chaudhry Award for Outstanding Contribution to RoadPeace was launched in 2017 as part of RoadPeace’s 25th anniversary commemorations. It was named in memory of the son of RoadPeace’s founder, Brigitte Chaudhry, who was unlawfully killed by a red light offender in 1990.
Lucy said: “I was really shocked and surprised when I received the award. It made me think a lot about my amazing friend, the late Pauline Fielding, who was a dedicated RoadPeace supporter for decades, and of course my brother.
“I’m really privileged to coordinate the West Midlands, West Mercia and Siblings Groups and all the members mean so much to me. To receive an award named in honour of our founder’s son is incredibly moving and I’m just so grateful to RoadPeace for getting me through my own loss, and then empowering me to help others where I can.”