A STUDENT who lost her father in a crash has been given a top award in recognition of her fundraising for a road safety charity.

East Anglian Daily Times: Bereaved students win national charity award for fundraising success Sophie Macrae and Georgia Mann.Bereaved students win national charity award for fundraising success Sophie Macrae and Georgia Mann.

Georgia Mann’s father, Edward, died on February 20, 2011, when his car hit the back of a lorry parked in a lay-by on the A14 near Stowupland.

Her mother Clare has been lobbying the Government over road safety measures and now Georgia’s efforts have been recognised.

Georgia, from Higham on the Suffolk/Essex border, and fellow Leeds University student Sophie Macrae, from Perthshire, were presented with the Fundraiser of the Year award by road safety charity Brake at a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament.

Sophie’s life was also changed by a road crash, when her sister Henrietta died in 2002 aged just 20.

Together they wanted to make a difference and help prevent other families experiencing the devastation they have faced.

In April 2012, the two young women ran the London Marathon in memory of Edward and Henrietta and together they raised £19,000.

Georgia said: “We’re both delighted to receive this award. We just wanted to help others and support a worthy charity that makes a huge difference to people’s lives.

“It’s vital that organisations like Brake continue to campaign to make roads safer. I was very proud to be able to fundraise in memory of my dad, and I’m proud to be given this award.”

Julie Townsend, of Brake, said: “Georgia and Sophie have shown incredible determination to make a difference.”