THE dedicated family of Lillian Groves have been presented with an award by a national road safety charity.
The Groves family have been named Brake's Road Safety Campaigner of the Year for their tireless efforts to change the law on drug-driving.
The award was in recognition of the remarkable progress of Lillian's Law, which was named after 14-year-old Lillian Groves who was killed outside her home in New Addington by a speeding driver who had taken cannabis.
Since it began less than 18 months ago the campaign, launched jointly with the Advertiser, has been backed by more than 20,000 people, won the support of the Prime Minister and led a new drug-driving offence to be included in last year's Queen's Speech.
Lillian's mother, Natasha Groves, her aunt Michaela and her cousin Megan were presented with the award during Brake's annual reception at the Houses of Parliament last Wednesday.
Julie Townsend, the charity's deputy chief executive, said: "The Groves family can feel very proud of what they have achieved in memory of Lillian.
"They took their campaign to the very top, pushing their message through the local and national media, and then meeting the Prime Minister, achieving a firm commitment from Government.
"Great progress is now being made on developing the details of this important new drug-driving law and a roadside testing regime.
"The Groves have been instrumental in effecting this change.
"Speaking out after a sudden and utterly devastating bereavement and pushing a campaign through takes incredible strength."
After receiving the award, Michaela said: "It's nice to be recognised by such a big charity which has pushed for a change on drug-driving themselves but their voices haven't, unfortunately, been heard.
"I often wonder why has it taken us to get this moved forward? It's a bit overwhelming.
"The campaign has been difficult for every single person who has been a part of it.
"I know Natasha found it tough to begin with but she's become very determined. Now I think she is scared what will happen once it's all finished.
"The campaign keeps her going.
"It makes her feel she is doing something good for society and for Lillian."
Natasha added: "I was really surprised to win the award but it was good to get some recognition that we are trying to achieve something positive.
"But if it hadn't been for Lillian's fighting spirit we might have given up."
Lillian Groves was knocked down and killed outside her home in Headley Drive, New Addington, in June 2010.
John Page, the speeding driver, had taken cannabis before getting behind the wheel but received just an eight-month jail sentence.
