DERBYSHIRE ACCESSIBILITY CAMPAIGNERS IN LINE FOR NATIONAL TOURISM AWARD
Derbyshire’s accessibility champions Gillian Scotford and Jane Carver are celebrating news that they have been shortlisted for a prestigious national tourism accolade.
Gillian and Jane, co-founders of Accessible Derbyshire, are in the running to win national tourist board VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar Award 2017, which will be announced during English Tourism Week (March 25 to April 2).
The north Derbyshire based women – who were nominated by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board – are among ten shortlisted entries now starring in videos on the Daily Mirror newspaper’s website.
Members of the public are now being invited to cast their votes to support the entry they believe should win the annual award, now in its fifth year, which recognises and celebrates people who go the extra mile to ensure tourists in England have an amazing and unforgettable visitor experience. Videos can be viewed and votes can be cast at http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/british-breaks/vote-now-decide-who-your-9736671.
“This is great news for Gillian and Jane, who work tirelessly to raise awareness of the wide-ranging challenges faced by disabled people, their families and carers, whether they are visiting or living in the Peak District and Derbyshire,” said Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire.
“We nominated them for the Tourism Superstar Award because, since they launched their registered charity in 2014, they have worked closely with us and with VisitEngland to improve access to accommodation, attractions and activities across the area.
“In 2015 they made a positive contribution to VisitEngland’s Access for All project, by running their ‘Big Push’ campaign – highlighting everything from wheelchair-friendly walking to accessible cafés, tea rooms and pubs. We wish them every success in the competition.”
Gillian, of Dronfield, and Jane, of Chesterfield, have six children between them, three of whom are disabled. As well as their awareness-raising work, they also raise funds to buy equipment for the local tourism industry to make venues more accessible.
‘Delighted and honoured’ to have been shortlisted, they added: “We hope it will help to raise the profile of our continuing quest to inspire and give people with disabilities the confidence to enjoy our beautiful part of the world. Although we know we can never make our children better, our charity can help to give them, and people like them, a better life.”
The winning entry will be announced in the Daily Mirror on Saturday April 1, and the award will be presented at a VisitEngland event at the end of April.