8/6/2019 HGV Battlers Nominated for Top Award

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HGV battlers nominated for topaward

three days after launch of campaignStaffordshire road battlers Andrea Martin and Leigh Banks have been

nominated for a prestigious award within days of launching therewar against HGVs.

Andrea had called a meeting at her local pub to tell villagers the truthabout the A519 through Staffordshire but people from along thewhole 20 miles of the ancient road between the Potteries and Newport,Shropshire, turned up.Within hours they had formed what is probably the biggest road action

group in the UK . They already have the backing of MP Bill Cash,county councillor Mark Winnington and deputy leader of Staffordborough council.Then three days later the couple received an email from the SheilaMcKechnie Foundation saying that they had nominated for the award.Andrea, from Woodseaves, a small historic leather-working villagewhere many of the houses are less than two feet away from the pot-holed and damaged carriageway, said: We couldnt believe it withindays of launching our publicity campaign the Sheila McKechnieFoundation had heard of us and thought what we are doing was worthyof their awards. Weve not won it obviously but to be up for such an

accolade and one that offers proper support is fantastic.Leigh said: We didnt know registered charities like this existed tohelp people who are fighting for their rights its brilliant. It shows thatpeople are following our battle.A spokesman for the Sheila McKechnie saidThe CampaignerAwards are for people who want to take their campaign to the nextlevel. Over six months, the foundation devises a bespoke programmeof support, tailored around individual needs, to help you with theircampaign.

The spokesman said: All costs relating to participating in the

programme are covered by SMK. The awards programme is very niche,so people shouldnt think theres only a 'needle-in-a-haystack' chanceof winning! Youll have a good chance of being shortlisted.The winners will be invited to a high-profile awards ceremony, receiveone-to-one coaching from a highly experienced campaigner, mentoringwith experts in your field, media coaching, skills-building weekend, Beinvited into the SMK Alumni programme, enabling you to attend talksand events organised by SMK

http://www.smk.org.uk/smk-awards-2011/http://www.smk.org.uk/smk-awards-2011/http://www.smk.org.uk/smk-awards-2011/http://www.smk.org.uk/smk-awards-2011/

8/6/2019 HGV Battlers Nominated for Top Award

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SMK is the only registered charity in the UK dedicated to connecting,informing and supporting campaigners and was set up in memoryof Sheila McKechnie who described herself as a 'fully paid up memberof the awkward squad'.Sheila was a director of Shelter and a director of the Consumers'

Association. Sheila was awarded an OBE in 1995 and in 2001 became aDame of the British Empire for her work on behalf of consumers. Sheiladied of cancer in January 2004 at the age of 55.Andrea and Leigh are spearheading a campaign which they hope willultimately take traffic off both the A519 through Woodseaves and theA518 through Gnosall and Haughton.Andrea said: The point we are making is simple - the road they live onis not part of Britain s trunking route. The A519 is not built to takeHGVs, it never has been and never will be.People just didnt know that this road is not designated to take 44tonne heavy goods vehicles - the county council have spent decades

pulling the wool over their eyes.