Volunteer Awards evening 2024: North West

We are now over half way through the Regional Volunteer Awards for 2024. Last night we were in Bolton to celebrate all the amazing volunteers in the North West region. It's great to see the impact of all the volunteers on their local community and beyond! Find out more about all the award winners.

Club Leader of the year

Winner: Byron Edwards (Bury AC)

Byron brings his experience of accountancy and project management and passion for athletics to his role as trustee for Bury Athletic Club. Furthermore, as a team manager he undertakes team selection for the club's North of England League team. 2023 saw the club promoted to the premier division for the first time in the club's history, very much as a result of Byron's drive and commitment. He has also been key in developing relationships with the BMC to plan events at the club.

Runner up: Name of person (Birkenhead AC)

Andy has been Club Chairman of Birkenhead AC (BAC) for 14 years. In that time he has helped the club grow. He is on the committee of the Borders League. Organises Summer club runs for BAC and is responsible for club involvement in the Borders League and Cross Country League. BAC organised a race within the Borders League and Andy virtually single handed organised the event. He is a credit to running and BAC.

Club of the year

Winner: MadRunners

MadRunners welcome EVERYONE and encourage each other to achieve their personal goals. Two members have recently completed the Leadership in Running Fitness course to help inspire the runners in the group. One of these is 18 years old and is a great asset to our teen members as the club looks to grow and support a younger generation. When new members join it's often because they have seen MadRunners volunteering at a race or parkrun as the friendliest & welcoming group and sometimes the loudest (in a good way!).

Runner up: Lions Running Community

Winning the Kings Award for Volunteering is a testament to Lions Running Community's volunteers' hard work and the supportive environment the club have cultivated. This accolade has inspired even more members to get involved, strengthening the community and extending their positive impact. These accomplishments reflect the club's commitment to growth, inclusivity, and excellence in the running community. The club also offer guided runs for visually impaired members and funetics for young athletes.

Runner up: Levenshulme Runners

In its first two years as an affiliated club, Levenshulme Runners has gone from strength to strength with a growing number taking part in weekly runs. Over the last 12 months, the club has organised a variety of fundraising events to raise money to install a new defibrillator for the community, very close to the meeting point of our weekly runs. The club pride themselves on being welcoming to all and have recently funded two Run Leaders to become qualified guide runners to provide additional support to the community and make the club more inclusive.

Coach of the year

Winner: Toby Nicholson (Lancaster & Morecambe AC)

Toby is a young coach who dedicates so much time to the club and its young people. He coaches, leads teams, sits on the committee and is constantly looking for ways to better the club and his athletes. When other young people his age are going out he is putting time into the club. Ask any of our young people who their favourite coach is and it will always be Toby. He has been part of the leadership for the YDL events over the last 12 months and supported the upper YDL team to be promoted to the premier division for the first time in the club’s history. Toby not only builds an inclusive, safe and accepting environment for all athletes in the club, but quite possibly the most fun sessions I've seen.

Runner up: Fiona Healy (Bury AC)

Fiona has coached our under 11s group for several years. However, due to a number of assistant coaches stepping away from our under 13s group, Fiona has volunteered to take on this age group as well. We are now seeing a marked difference in the development of our under 13s and their willingness to compete. A fellow coach has stated that Fiona has 'revolutionised the under 13s group'. It is clear that young athletes and parents alike are inspired by Fiona's positive energy and we are seeing this translating into more and more youngsters competing.

Community Project of the year

Winner: Dabbers Dash (Paul McIntyre)

Paul started the Dabbers Dash to show the local council the need to finish the perimeter path around a local park so that local residents have a traffic-free route to exercise. The project runs a free 5km walk, run, cycle or wheel around the local park in Nantwich. It started with the goal to get the path finished, but has grown into something much bigger. Dabbers Dash raises awareness for local patient support groups, charities and organisations with the monthly calendar full of events. The project is also improving the lives of those in the community, as it enables individuals to be introduced to running in a cost-free non-competitive environment.

The group and the community project is a learning and a journey. Projects like ours are starting to mean lots more. We get people from Dementia groups, stroke survivors, cancer groups, women’s services and young people.

We can help raise awareness for groups as they try to raise much needed funds whilst they support our path project.

I really enjoy our group and my town, and supporting the community.

Runner up: Levenshulme Runners

Levenshulme Runners wanted to give back to their local community, so they decided to raise money to install a Defibrillator. The Committee organised a wide range of activities, over the course of around 12 months, including a disco, a cheese tasting event and a Christmas raffle. The project also helped demonstrate how much the club can achieve when working together - we raised a huge amount of money in a short period of time and runners across the club got involved or contributed donations or raffle prizes. The new defibrillator will not only help improve the safety of runners, but it will also support the health of residents and anyone using Station South's services, whether they are visiting the cafe or taking part in cycling events.

Inspiring Official

Winner: Conor Bennett (Lancaster & Morecambe AC)

Conor is a committed and supportive official, who goes beyond his role at a Level 4 Track Judge to ensure a positive experience at events for coaches, athletes and parents. He is also county officials secretary for Lancashire, which allows him to provide amazing support and mentoring to officials across the county. Conor's mentoring and support have significantly benefited many officials in the county and beyond. His various roles within officiating have allowed him to generously share his time, knowledge, skills, and expertise, helping others maximise their enjoyment and opportunities in the sport.

Winner: Maryon O'Donnell (Liverpool Harriers)

Maryon is a great official and a true asset to the north west region with the many roles she fulfills that provide support to officials far and wide. As a level 4 field judge and level 4 endurance - Maryon is always at a track or out in the field most weekends. Maryon is a level 1 field course tutor for many years - delivering courses and also supporting the review process of many level 2 applications. Her mentoring and support have undoubtedly made a difference in the lives of many officials, helping them find enjoyment and opportunities in the sport.

Winner: Graham Holbrook (Trafford AC)

Graham is known for his willingness to help other officials and volunteers, particularly those new to the role. He takes the time to share his knowledge of the rules and his experiences, ensuring they feel confident and competent in their duties. For example, at a recent open meet, Graham spent time mentoring a group of new officials, talking them through their roles and answering their questions patiently. His approachable nature makes him a go-to person for advice and support. He has a unique ability to help athletes feel more relaxed by engaging them in friendly conversations, at the events he treats every athlete with respect and kindness, contributing to a positive competition environment.

Newcomer to Volunteering

Winner: Clare Devine (Bury AC)

Since first joining Bury Athletic Club in early 2023, Clare has thrown herself into the world of athletics and has quickly become a go-to person in lots of different circumstances. She is always willing to step in to try something new - within just a few months she had qualified as both a timekeeper and a field judge. She combines a sense of fun with great professionalism in everything she does.

Runner up: Nick Pilkington (Rossendale Harriers & AC)

Nick is Junior Co-ordinator, Welfare Officer and a Coach at Rossendale Harriers & AC. He provides excellent support to the Juniors, he provides excellent coaching and positive reinforcement of achievements. A number of our Juniors have suffered anxiety before races Nick is quick to identify these and always ensures he chats with them and provides support to them, using his 3 Green Ticks approach.

Services to Athletics and Running

Winner: Bob and Anne Brimage (Wallasey AC)

Bob has been involved in Wallasey Athletics Club since 1963 and has been involved in many different volunteering roles. He has dedicated many hours to the sport over the past 61 years and been an integral part of the commitee at the club. Anne joined the club in 1974 and since then has dedicated many hours to the sport, as an administrator, official and mentor from grassroots to national and international level. Both have an impact well beyond the local area as they have fulfilled positions on regional and national bodies. They have both been involved in major international events over their many years in the sport.

Winner: Bernie Jones (Cheshire Dragons)

Over the past fifty years, Bernie has given unbelievable support to our sport across England and Wales, in a variety of ways including coaching, team managing, taking various roles in clubs including, secretary, chairman, president. He co-created the Old Boys Running Club, developing an outlet for runners and ex runners to get together both actively and socially. He has also played a key role in developing the Masters International programme with England Athletics, which now has races across distances from 5km through to marathon and involves athletes from 35 to 80+ years old. He has made a difference to our sport ensuring opportunities are there for everyone whatever an individual's circumstances.

Winner: Vicky Cowan (Wirral AC)

Vicky has been a lifelong member of Wirral AC serving as an athlete, coach and General Secretary. She has dedicated so much of her time and skills towards Wirral AC and also Wirral and Merseyside schools teams. She dedicated so much of her free time voluntarily to athletics and it because of her and her warm and welcoming character that young athletes have blossomed and become lifelong athletes. When asked “who got you into running ?” Vicky Cowan will be the answer many children at WAC give. She leaves a legacy of young aspiring athletes at the club who she helped discover their love of athletics. Sadly, just a few weeks ago she lost her long battle against cancer. The award was collected by her daughter and parents.

My mum started athletics when she was young. She was the reason I started athletics at age seven. I am 15 now. She inspired me so much.