The daughter of a Spalding woman who died in a house fire has been recognised for her campaigning efforts against illegal cigarettes which caused the blaze.
Julie Grant has been thanked by BBC One’s Fake Britian and recognised by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) for the significant contribution she makes to campaigning against illicit cigarettes.
In April 2012, June Buffham, Julie’s mother, died in a fire at her home in Spalding’s Stonegate, which a coroner linked to illegal Jin Ling cigarettes failing to self-extinguish.
Julie, who until last year owned Butter’s shop in New Road, is a campaigner on social media and supports the work of trading standards nationally.
She has worked with Lincolnshire Trading Standards and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue on their awareness campaign, launched last year, in particular supporting the release of a hard-hitting video to drive home how quickly a fire can start and spread, often with fatal consequences.
Julie (pictured) has also featured on BBC Radio Lincolnshire and had interviews with local news channels and newspapers all supporting the cause.
In December 2014, Julie appeared on BBC One’s Fake Britain, where she was filmed telling her mother’s story and generating greater public knowledge of the illicit cigarette trade.
CTSI chief executive Leon Livermore said: “I am delighted to present Julie with a CTSI Hero Award, giving her well deserved national recognition.
“The Hero Award is a fantastic opportunity for CTSI to celebrate outstanding contributions by individuals or groups of people to consumer protection in our communities.”
Emma Milligan, principal trading standards officer at Lincolnshire County Council, comments: “I’m delighted Julie has got recognition from the work she has done campaigning around illegal cigarettes.
“We know it is hard for people to talk about their experiences, particularly when they have lost a family member, but we know that by Julie telling her story, she has made a real difference to people coming forward and reporting sightings of Jin Lings in Lincolnshire.
“From this intel, we can target and raid premises and confiscate these goods – therefore protecting other members of the public.”
Anyone with information about who is selling illegal cigarettes, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
