Valerie Ann Taylor, founder and coordinator of Centre for Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), has won the Rotary International award, says a press release. She will receive a custom-designed trophy and $ 100,000 as prize money. The money, donated by award sponsor Richard Elman, is meant for taking her humanitarian cause and service projects even further. In the citation, the award committee said, “Her work restoring the lives of the paralysed here in Bangladesh is truly unparalleled. She has great compassion for the neglected members of Bangladesh’s society.” A British-born physiotherapist and humanitarian, Valerie established the CRP in 1979, where around 15,000 outpatients are given medical care every year. CRP also works to reduce accidents and provides schooling and vocational training for patients, read the press release.
This year’s award was announced by The One project, a scheme conceptualised and founded by Rotarian David Harilela. It is the first international humanitarian award launched by Rotary International District 3450 in Hong Kong, Macau and Mongolia.
Bangladeshi Rotarian Khondakar Shahidul Hasan, former president of Rotary Club Uttara, was the nominator for Valerie.
“I am so happy that her relentless work has been recognised by a prestigious platform of the Rotarians,” said Hasan in the press release.