Fixing road safety
114. Jordan Bone
A young woman from Norfolk who was inspired by a terrible road accident has devoted thousands of hours to road safety campaigning with young people.
Jordan Bone was left paralysed from the chest down when she was involved in a car crash at just 15 years old. Now aged 24, Jordan volunteers across Norfolk sharing her story with hundreds of young people and hosting workshops on road safety to help educate her community and keep roads safe.
Jordan helps to raise awareness amongst young people and especially newly-qualified drivers by handing out wrist-bands emblazoned with the message: “you’re amazing, not invincible”. She also delivers focus groups on road safety and workshops in Norfolk schools and colleges including Streetlife Driving School, reaching over 400 young people. She was a panellist at a road safety forum in September last year and lobbied transport ministers and MPs about the importance of the issue. Since the crash Jordan has been motivated to not let the accident be a barrier to following her passions and she has now set up her own successful YouTube channel and beauty blog, giving self-confidence tips and inspiring others through her posts.
Jordan became a road-safety campaigner in 2013 through Fixers, a social action campaign charity that supports young people aged 16-25 across the UK to raise awareness of any issue important to them. To date they have enabled 13,800 young people across the UK to have an authentic voice in their community.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
“Jordan is a truly courageous young woman. Rather than be defeated by such a terrible experience, she has dedicated herself to educating young people about the importance of staying safe on the road. I am pleased to name Jordan a UK Point of Light.”
Jordan said:
“I am so thrilled to have received such a fantastic award. All in all I want everyone to have an amazing life and so by sharing my story I hope it inspires people to be safe on the roads as well as motivating them to live the best life possible.”
Jordan’s MP Henry Bellingham said:
“I’m truly delighted that Jordan has won this much sought after award from the Prime Minister. I’ve met Jordan a number of times at Fixers events – she is a truly inspirational person, who after her own dreadful accident has devoted her life to helping others. I can think of no more deserving winner, and she’s done both West Norfolk and her country proud.”
Margo Horsley Fixers Chief Executive said:
“We are delighted that Jordan has won the Prime Minister’s prestigious ‘Points of Light Award’, which recognises her outstanding contribution towards helping other young people. Following her own experiences of being in a serious road traffic accident, Jordan worked with Fixers to produce a short film warning young people to take care on the roads. She has campaigned tirelessly to ensure that young people understand the importance of road safety, and Fixers couldn’t be more proud of her.”