Honour for Violet after family tragedy
A Sunderland mum who used a family tragedy to warn others about the fatal consequences of dangerous driving has been honoured.
Violet Atkinson, 46, from Fordham Road, Ford Estate, was presented with a British Empire Medal (BEM) by Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear Susan Winfield OBE, in a ceremony in the Mayor’s Parlour at Sunderland Civic Centre.
The BEM is awarded in recognition for outstanding services to their country, community, profession or walk of life, and Mrs Atkinson received hers for Voluntary and Charitable Services promoting roadsafety awareness and education.
Violet has dedicated her life to campaigning for better road safety since her 12-year-old son Steven was killed by a speeding motorist while out playing with friends in 2009.
She has worked tirelessly with Northumbria Police and other community road safety partners to highlight the consequences and risk to life caused by dangerous driving, and promote the need for responsible motoring.
In January 2015, she and her family made a short film for schools sharing their experiences of the tragic consequences of dangerous driving, and the grief of losing a loved one because of it.
Since then as part of the “Roads to Justice” campaign, she has called for tougher sentencing for persistently dangerous drivers, and more scrutiny of those still driving with points on their licences for motoring offences. “I am honoured to be awarded this medal, and delighted that someone thought enough of me to put my name forward to receive it,” she said.
“When we lost Steven I first got involved with supporting the Brake road safety campaign, and did anything I could to help the police warn people about dangerous driving.
“If we can help prevent just one accident then it’ll all be worthwhile, no family should ever have to go through the pain of losing a loved one because someone didn’t take care on the roads.”
Alongside family and friends, among them daughters Dawn, 22, and Katie, 11, guests included Northumbria Police officers who worked with Violet on the road safety campaigns, and the new Chief Constable Winton Keenen.
To find out more about how to make a BEM nomination, visit www.gov.uk/ honours or, alternatively, contact the Tyne and Wear Lieutenancy Office on Tel. 0191 433 2047.