Living Streets campaign shortlisted for national award
Living Streets’ campaign to ban pavement parking in Scotland has been shortlisted for a national charity award, following a ten-year campaign to make streets safer for pedestrians in Scotland.
Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrate the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector. This year’s shortlist includes 45 individuals and organisations from charities and voluntary groups across the country.
In October 2019, the Scottish Government passed a bill implementing a nationwide ban on pavement parking, following a decade-long campaign from Living Streets and disability charities as part of the Responsible Parking Alliance.
Living Streets Scotland has been recognised as a finalist in the ‘cracking campaign’ category and is encouraging people who support safer streets for walking and wheeling to vote for them.
Voting opens today – Friday 14 August – and runs until Friday 4 September. While a judging panel will determine the winners under eight distinct categories, members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People’s Choice Award by visiting scvo.org.uk/vote.
Stuart Hay, Director of Living Streets Scotland, said: “We’re so pleased to be shortlisted for this year’s charity awards. Our pavement parking campaign spanned ten years, bringing in partners and members of the public from across Scotland calling for safer streets for walking.
“Pavement parking is incredibly dangerous, particularly for people who use wheelchairs and mobility aids, people living with sight loss and families with buggies. There will be a real impact from the ban, creating safer and more welcoming streets for everyone.
“We’re thankful to SCVO for the nomination and for the work of others in the Responsible Parking Alliance for their support during the campaign.”
The full list of finalists can be found on the SCA website. Due to the impact of coronavirus, this year the Awards will run a little differently. Winners will be announced on 25 September (rescheduled from June) and will now take place online so that all finalists and attendees who wish to attend are still able to join the celebrations in a safe way, regardless of lockdown phase or shielding status.
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of SCVO, said: “Much of the work celebrated this year predates the pandemic. All aspects of our lives have been disrupted in 2020. Our communities and the charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises they rely on have been under enormous pressure.
“Scotland’s voluntary sector has never been more needed and will be essential to Scotland’s recovery. At SCVO we know that fantastic work is going on all the time and we are delighted to celebrate these achievements and successes through the Scottish Charity Awards.
“This year’s shortlist of 45 finalists showcases just how diverse our voluntary sector is, and highlights the fantastic work that has been going on across the country since the last Awards until March this year.
“The Awards are a great way of celebrating and recognising the people and organisations who make our voluntary sector a crucial part of every part of life in Scotland. Our finalists are fantastic and I would encourage everyone to support their favourite by voting in the People’s Choice Award.”