Rugby and Bulkington’s Member of Parliament, Mark Pawsey, celebrated the inspirational work of three groups of Rugby residents in the House of Commons ahead of the November recess.
Mark spoke about the achievements of Andy Martin, who after his diagnosis of Parkinson’s, resolved to make the walk from John O’Groats to Land’s End in support of Parkinson’s UK in September of this year. His journey, which saw him walk 35 miles a day for 30 days, raised over £4,000 for the charity.
The long running campaign by Rugby resident Peter Realf, his wife Liz and their daughter, Maria Lester, to raise awareness of brain tumours in young people was also praised by both Mark and the Deputy Leader of the House. Their campaign began after Peter and Liz’s son, Stephen, was diagnosed with a brain tumour which tragically caused Stephen’s death in 2014. In 2015, Maria launched a petition on the Parliamentary website to promote the awareness of brain tumours, which drew over 100,000 signatures and led to a packed debate in Westminster Hall.
Mark also highlighted the campaign of George and Giulietta Galli-Atkinson, who established the Livia Awards in memory of their daughter. Livia Galli-Atkinson was tragically killed by a driver who mounted the pavement and, following the police investigation into her death, they have campaigned to make the penalties for dangerous driving more severe. This campaign has proved successful with a long overdue change in the law coming into force recently. The Livia Awards are presented in Parliament to Traffic Police Officers who have demonstrated professionalism and service to justice each year, and has led to significant reforms within the Metropolitan Police Service in the way they investigate these offences.
Speaking after the debate, Mark said:
“During my time as Rugby’s Member of Parliament, I have met many exceptional individuals who accomplished some truly remarkable achievements. I wanted to use this debate in the House to draw wider attention to both the things these individuals have achieved, and to the adversity that all of them have faced. Andy, Peter and Maria, and George and Giulietta have all managed to turn tremendously challenging circumstances into a drive to improve the lives of others.”
Mark continued:
“One of the great honours of being in Parliament is the opportunity to raise these individuals amazing achievements and help to further their cause. Peter and Maria have demonstrated this with their campaign to improve awareness of brain tumours and I am incredibly proud of the progress which has been made since Maria’s petition secured a Parliamentary debate on this issue. It is also a great pleasure to be involved in the Livia Awards alongside George and Giulietta, as well as other Parliamentarians and representatives of the police.”
Mark concluded:
“Rugby is home to a great number of people who have managed to do remarkable things in their lives, including many who help to shape a better future by raising money or awareness of an issue. I wanted to use this opportunity in Parliament to celebrate these individuals, and many others throughout our community and I hope that they all continue with their very good work.”