Volunteer Awards evening 2024: North East
Last night we were privileged to be in Newcastle for the North East Regional Volunteer Awards 2024! It was a wonderful evening, celebrating the achievements of the fantastic volunteers who dedicate their time to making our sport the very best it can be for athletes and runners. Let's meet our fantastic winners and runners-up.
Club Leader of the year
Winner: Kieran Sigsworth
Club Leader of the Year, Kieran Sigsworth, has been a rock for Run Peterlee during some turbulent times. As Welfare Officer he has been the main point of contact for runners of all ages and abilities, as well as for the committee members. When having to have challenging conversations, he does so with grace and compassion and really embodies the core values of the club.
Runner up: Cian Rynne
Cian Rynne wears many hats at Durham City Harriers & AC from chair to track judge and coach. He is fantastic at encouraging and ensuring club members take training courses to increase the volume of qualified volunteers to support their fantastic athletes and runners. As well as helping volunteers, Cian also supports graduates from the Couch to 5k group to integrate into the wider club. His outstanding efforts has helped save the club and everyone is very grateful to have him as a valued member.
Club of the year
Winner: East Durham Running Club
Club of the year, East Durham Running Club, really put the community at the centre of their club. Like one big family, the club believes in keeping their sessions inclusive and accessible, making sure everyone has a friendly face to talk to through their buddy system. They focus on improving each runner by improving their fitness and wellbeing at the same time. As well as benefitting their runners, the club also raises money and donates to a local foodbank to care for their local community and residents of East Durham.
Second place: Elvet Striders
Club of the Year runners-up Elvet Striders have had a busy 12 months, from creating a club vision to revitalising their membership. As well as focusing on their governance, they've also been busy supporting local charities with kit swaps, and raising over £1000 for Rape Crisis and Mind in honour of a club member they sadly lost. All of their club runs are super inclusive and welcoming to all, with reduced membership fees for anyone suffering financial hardship. This is a true community club.
Third place: Run Peterlee
The second runner-up, Run Peterlee, welcome runners from complete beginners to those seasoned pros. Members are welcomed with a bespoke club pack with all necessary information to help them feel settled in. They have worked with Durham County Council to get people into running with a Couch to 5k scheme and have even arranged a 5k race for them to take part in on one of the club's own routes. Over the last 12 months, the club has achieved all seven Club Standards, trained their two welfare officers and supported local charities with fundraisers.
Coach of the year
Winner: George McKay
Coach of the year, George McKay, provides high-quality training to developing athletes from both Durham City and Durham University. He is always generous with his time whether to help mentor or lend a hand to other coaches. He takes time for each athlete and this is testament as his athletes love his sessions and have come on leaps and bounds under his care. He is a dynamic character, always prepared to expand his knowledge and keep on learning - a true inspiration to athletes and coaches alike.
Runner up: Lynn Cooper
Lynn Cooper is a true community club coach, and supports endurance athletes all the way from age 13 to 70 across middle distances all the way through to marathon. Despite such a huge range, she ensures training is tailored to all and will run multiple sessions at the same time to keep athletes connected. She is always athlete-centred, no matter what level the athlete is and will always try and upskill herself, and the assistant coaches around her. Away from the track, she writes a monthly training group newsletter which celebrates all members of the squad, provides useful tips and recommendations.
Community Project of the year
Winner: Ben Palmer
Ben Palmer is a vital part of the Boro Runners community and has organised lots of fundraising activities for causes close to member's hearts. After a tragic incident at one of their club nights Ben ensured that the club stuck together, supported members and their families and really brought everyone together.
Runner up: Emily Scott
Supporting the local community and fundraising are incredibly important to Elvet Striders, and in the last year they have raised over £1000, helped foodbanks, and done a kit collection to pass on to charity. Together with Emily, Elvet Striders have helped to raise £1000 and donated toiletries to a Rape Crisis Centre. As a victim of assault herself whilst on a run, it is a cause very close to Emily and the club's hearts.
Inspiring Official
Winner: Morag Goldsmith
Morag Goldsmith is a kind and friendly person to have at any meeting. A level 4 track judge and level 2 field official, she regularly officiates at competitions of every level. Her infectious smile and supportive nature always make officiating with Morag a pleasure and a positive experience every time. She is truly is an asset to any meeting that is attended and to the officiating community overall.
Winner: Toby Jones
Toby Jones is a Level 3 timekeeper and level 3 photo-finish judge. Over the last year Toby has worked at all levels from local opens, local youth and senior league meetings to area meetings and ancillary at national meetings. He is instrumental in getting two photo finish kits in the region and ensuring that grass roots athletics has access to photo finish at as many events as possible.
Winner: Mick Frazer
Mick Frazer is a hugely experience Level 4 official and has volunteered at many events over the years from local competitions to World Championships and the Commonwealth Games. He's also helped countless officials from the North East to develop their skills and rise through the levels. He allocates officials to events in the North East region and has served on many committees for officials selection at a local, regional and national level.
Newcomer to Volunteering
Winner: Lottie Collier
Lottie has had a long term interest in strength and conditioning alongside her running and was persuaded to share her skills and knowledge with members at Elvet Striders - and then the Tuesday night S&C sessions were born. She creates weekly sessions which are incredibly diverse, never ever boring and always just the right balance of challenging but achievable. She is completely reliable, incredibly patient, always enthusiastic and promotes an environment where we have an awful lot of fun and laughter as well as getting stronger and healthier.
Runner up: David Browbank
David Browbank had made huge strides since being appointed the Elvet Striders Communications Officer. David’s willingness to do this job even when it pushes his normal boundaries makes him stand out. He celebrates member's achievements each week with his 'Weekly Wins' feature whether they have run the furthest or fastest, or have just made their first steps back from injury. David is always buzzing with ideas of how to promote the club and the committee can't wait to see what he will implement next!
Contribution to Athletics and Running
Winner: Simon Allen
Contribution to Athletics and Running winner, Simon Allen, has devoted himself over the last 12 months bringing on board new runners to the None to Run programme. He supports the group twice per week, whatever the weather, encouraging each and every runner and helping them all believe they can achieve whatever their goals are. He will also support the runners once they are ready to transition into Elswick Harriers.
Runner up: Bill Courtney
Bill Courtney has revolutionised track running in the north east. Starting as a timekeeper he has also qualified as a starter and has officiated at the highest level with the Olympics and Worlds. More recently, he has concentrated on grassroots athletics and has helped transform local leagues and fixtures. His efforts have been so widely noted that the events he organises are often over-subscribed and attract competitors from across the wider north of England.
Services to Athletics and Running
Winner: Mary Avery
Now aged 84, president Mary Avery has been with Elswick Harriers since the 1970s. She started out as a very competitive member of the female team, excelling in her 40s in masters’ competitions in the UK and abroad. She was a great support to her late husband Mike who was a prominent coach of the junior athletes during the 1980s/90s. Mary is a constant presence at the club. New members and parents of juniors all get to know her quickly as she is always around offering praise and encouragement at race events. The club is a happier place with Mary present. She inspires with her devotion to the club and its members, and her impressive success as an athlete.