Riders for Health founder Andrea Coleman has been named as the winner of the Women of the Year award. At a lunch in London on Monday, when she was presented with the award in front of 400 guests, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC , President of Women of the Year, described her as "a very worthy and inspirational recipient."
She said: " Riders for Health has improved access to regular health care for millions of people across Africa. Through sheer hard work and determination she has translated her life-long passion as a motorcyclist into a successful award-winning programme in sub-Saharan Africa."
The award, sponsored by Barclays, was presented by the Chief Executive of the bank Anthony Jenkins who described her work as "incredible" and said: "She is truly a pioneer and we wish her every success in her future endeavours."
Riders for Health was founded in 1990 by Andrea and her husband, journalist Barry Coleman, with inspiration from Grand Prix racer Randy Mamola with whom she worked and experienced the problems faced in delivering health care in Africa.
Coming from a motorcycling family - her father was AMC development engineer Jack and her brother top racer and designer Peter Williams - she raced herself and was first married to Irish star Tom Herron, tragically killed on the 1979 North West 200.
She said:"I cannot describe how it feels to be named one of the "Women of the Year." Women living in isolated, rural Africa are trapped by ill health, poverty and distance. They can never even dream that what they do will ever be seen let alone recognised. I am lucky. I have had that opportunity.
"Riders for Health makes sure that the heroes of health care - the front line health workers - use well managed motor cycles to reach millions of people with the health care they need, reliably and predictably."
Riders for Health employs 400 people and operates 1700 vehicles in seven African countries, transforming health care for 14 million people. Mobilised health care workers can reach six times as many people as those on foot. Funding comes from events like Silverstone's Day of Champions, the Gates Foundation and other major institutions.
