Sixty one year old Carol Rigby – grandmother, ex-lollipop lady, campaigner and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – has been honoured recently at a reception held in Westminster by Opposition Leader Ed Milliband.
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Invited to attend the event by Gloria De Piero, Labour MP for Ashfield, Carol was singled out for recognition on account of the tireless campaigning she has carried out for children and parents in Westwood, Nottinghamshire, in order to get safety measures installed outside the infant and nursery school.
Carol first started her campaign over three decades ago, but it has taken until now to get her voice heard and to persuade Nottingham County Council to put traffic calming measures in place to improve safety outside the school.
“I first started trying to get safety precautions installed when my own children started going to the school over thirty years ago. Now my grandchildren are at the school and because of the new safety measures they do not have to face the same danger each day that their parents did.”
Carol was one of a number of unsung heroes from around the country whose contributions to their communities were acknowledged. They were treated to drinks and nibbles in the Leader of the Opposition’s office and she was given a tour of the Houses of Parliament and see the House of Commons in session.
Carol’s belief in the importance of families helped fuel her unswerving commitment to protect them. “It would be beneficial to the country to recognise the good works families are doing. If parents were acknowledged more it would encourage them and increase their feelings of worth,” she said.
Carol is one parent whose good works and service to the community have, in this instance, attracted the recognition and praise they deserve.