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Sustrans has beaten 150 health organisations to bag an award for its role in encouraging the public to cycle and walk more.
A bronze Public Health Award was given to the sustainable transport charity by England’s Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson at the ceremony.
Uniquely, Sustrans was also up for another award. Research and monitoring director Andy Cope was nominated for the Health and Economic Appraisal Tool for cycling (HEAT) which Cope joint developed.
Sustrans chief exec Malcolm Shepherd, hailed the achievement:
“It is fantastic for a charity not directly working in the health sector to have this level of recognition. Our work over the past 30 years has allowed millions of people to travel more actively, which has a huge impact on peoples’ health. We are pleased that we have been recognised – it will be a great aid to our continuing work in promoting walking and cycling.”
Sustrans Active Travel Director Philip Insall added: “We are thrilled with this award because it underlines the growing awareness of how vital walking and cycling is to people’s health. The award scheme covers the whole wide realm of public health so it is testimony to the work Sustrans is doing that we are being recognised alongside these other outstanding organisations striving to improve people’s quality of life.
“Among the greatest health risks facing us today are ‘lifestyle diseases’ caused by poor nutrition and sedentary living in car-dominated towns and cities – Sustrans is offering the solutions to the latter.”
Sustrans is currently promoting its Change Your World week, where the UK’s population is being encouraged to swap one car journey in favour of cycling or walking.
