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A road safety campaign - coordinated by a late councillor - has received royal recognition.
From 2019 to 2020, Ashford borough councillor Alex Ward coordinated the #50by30 campaign for The Towards Zero Foundation, which set a global goal of halving road deaths by 2030.
Sadly, in July 2019, he began having trouble walking and by February he was unable to stand or lift his head and was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
His increasingly deteriorating condition meant he couldn't attend a meeting in Stockholm in February, during which the Global Ministerial Conference agreed with the target of halving deaths by 2030.
Mr Ward married his long-term partner in July, and only weeks later died at the age of 31.
A month after Alex's death, the UN General Assembly formally adopted the Toward's Zero aim as well.
Alex's father David speaks about his son's experience with Motor Neurone Disease
The Towards Zero Foundation's successful efforts have now been recognised by royalty, just as a fund is set up in Alex's name to fund MND research.
Prince Michael of Kent has selected the global campaign as the recipient of his 2020 Premier Road Safety Award.
In a letter to Alex's dad David, the prince wrote: "The success of the #50by30 campaign has been truly outstanding.
"To have been the catalyst for the target to be included in The Stockholm Declaration was a real achievement.
"To then have followed this with the UN General Assembly Declaration is truly impressive.
"It has been a real pleasdure to be able to support the campaign. To mark the end of such a notable year, I would like to recognise the work of those in the Towards Zero Foundation behind the campign with my 2020 Premier Road Safety Award.
"I feel that this would also be a tribute to Alex, who I know did so much to achieve these successes despite his illness.
"The campaign is a real memorial to his work."
Upon receiving the letter, David Ward told said: "I was speechless. Firstly I had not known that the Foundation had even been nominated so to win any award let alone the Premier - it was a complete surprise.
"Both Emma, my wife and I were very moved by the Prince’s reference to Alex.
"I am very grateful to HRH Prince Michael who personally strongly supported the #50by30 campaign. He met Alex a number of times and knew how hard he had worked on the campaign.
"The Prince’s commitment to road safety is long standing. His awards have run for over 30 years and deservedly are highly prized by everyone involved in road safety."
The positive impacts of Alex's life won't end with his death, as the newly-established Alex Ward Fund has already seen more than £9,000 donated towards Motor Neurone Disease research.
Attacking the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, the currently uncurable disease has a debilitating affect on the afflicted.
The brutal illness makes it hard to speak, swallow and eventually breathe.
About 30% of patients die within the first year of diagnosis, and 50% die within two years.
To donate to the Alex Ward Fund, click here.
