Co-founder of Bury St Edmunds Rickshaw Libby Ranzetta is to receive prestigious British Citizen Award at Palace of Westminster
The co-founder of Bury St Edmunds Rickshaw is to receive a prestigious people’s honour at the Palace of Westminster.
Libby Ranzetta is one of 26 individuals to be recognised with the prestigious British Citizen Award (BCA) in recognition of their endeavours.
The British Citizen Award is now in its ninth year and recognises exceptional people who make a positive impact on their communities.
Dubbed ‘The People’s Honours’ – as anyone with an OBE, CBE of KBE is ineligible to receive a BCA – the programme recognises true community heroes for their divergent endeavours and positive impact on society.
Libby will be recognised at the Palace of Westminster on Thursday with the British Citizen Award for Services to the Community and will receive the BCA Medal of Honour and be invited to use the post-nominals BCAc.
Libby co-founded the rickshaw, which offers free rides around town to people experiencing limited mobility and/or social isolation, in 2018.
In 2020, during the pandemic, the rickshaw volunteers were mobilised to deliver medicine and food by bicycle and rickshaw to those self-isolating and to charities working with vulnerable people.
In 2022 BSE Rickshaw received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Libby was also chair of the Abbey 1000 committee, celebrating 1,000 years since the Abbey in Bury was founded. The year-long celebrations included 40 diverse spiritual and secular events, emphasising community and youth participation.
Libby is the current chair of Bury Water Meadows Group, which works to conserve and improve the Rivers Lark and Linnet.
In 2022 she co-founded EcoCarriers Bury St Edmunds, a social enterprise aimed at promoting and facilitating modal shift from car and van use to cycling for local journeys and includes a zero-emission delivery service, Bike Library and the award-winning schools Bike Train.
Stephanie Wood, from BCA partner One Stop, said: “This year’s medallists have reminded us of how many amazing people are supporting our communities, especially during such a challenging time. Our congratulations go to all honourees.”
The medal presentation will be hosted by television presenter Matt Allwright and attended by BCA patrons Dame Mary Perkins, founder of Specsavers, and The Rt Hon Lord Dholakia.
The British Citizen Award was established in 2015 to recognise exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on their communities and society.
