Volunteer Awards evening 2024: South East
The South East Volunteer Awards took place last night in Dorking. It was an inspiring evening devoted to celebrating the hard work, dedication and passion shown by volunteers throughout the South East. Join us as we highlight the contributions of these outstanding individuals and groups below:
Club Leader of the year
Winner: Rebecca Orpin (Jersey Spartan AC)
Rebecca is an inspirational leader whose passion for athletics shines through in everything she does. As well as being club chairman, she is also a qualified coach, qualified starter and organiser of club competitions. Rebecca's leadership has positively impacted all areas of the club, from strengthening club governance to driving plans through to convert a store shed into a fabulous new gym. She has also been instrumental in improving the club website, as well as encouraging parents to come along and give officiating a go.
Runner up: Scott McDonald (Lingfield RC)
Scott has played an instrumental role in raising the local profile of the club and encouraged members recovering from injury to return to running. He was the driving force behind the club joining England Athletics’ #RunAndTalk programme and became the club’s Mental Health Champion. Scott is a highly respected member of the local community, building strong links with the parish and district councils. In his three years as Chair, he raised £1,500 for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide, a cause close to the club’s heart.
"I've worked with some wonderful people on my committee. I've supported them and they've supported me"
Club of the year
1st: Thanet Roadrunners RC
Thanet Roadrunners is a running club for all, offering a friendly atmosphere and a variety of training sessions to suit different paces. Runners follow a looping approach to ensure nobody is left behind or feels their pace is impacting another person’s run. The club’s Couch to 5K programme is hugely popular, and there is a strong social element after several of the club’s weekly runs. They regularly celebrate each other’s achievements with their “runner of the month” and share stories from across the club.
"The legacy I want to leave is a club where everyone of all abilities feels confident to come along"
2nd: Fareham Running Club
Fareham Running Club offers an inclusive and welcoming environment, with a monthly New Starters initiative set up to ensure a positive first run experience for new members. The club’s Foodbank Run idea has been rolled out nationally, with over 500 clubs now running their own Foodbank Run to help fill foodbanks over the challenging winter period. They also hold regular Run and Talk sessions throughout the year, led by mental health professionals within the club.
"The most important thing is nurturing a safe environment for people to be able to train in"
3rd: Basingstoke & Mid Hants
Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC is an inclusive community club for aspiring athletes. Their experienced volunteer coaching team provide tailored support for all abilities, and the club’s buddy system supports new veterans and roadrunners. After 10 years of fundraising, their new clubhouse enables the club to provide extra services to their club community and a welcoming space for parents to gather on winter evenings. BMHAC actively collaborates with local and regional education institutions, supporting events and coaching for disabled athletes.
Coach of the year
Winner: David Mills (Reigate Priory AC)
Dave’s commitment to the club’s junior section is immense. He has a forty strong group of endurance athletes aged 13 to 18, and coaches four sessions a week to a broad range of abilities. He is fantastically knowledgeable in the sport of endurance running and has a wonderfully engaging manner when dealing with the children. He has a great sense of humour and endearing manner that means he establishes a great rapport with his athletes and is able to encourage them to push themselves when the sessions get tough.
"It's so rewarding to see the achievements of young athletes... it's great seeing their development and the success that comes along with that"
Runner up: Peter Haynes (Southampton Athletic Club)
Pete is a long-standing coach within the club, supporting athletes from junior level up to the national stage. Along with another coach, Pete stepped in to support athletes in the junior endurance section after the current coach left due to family illness. Over the years, many young athletes have benefitted from Pete's knowledge, coaching skills and caring nature. He was also the first coach of Mahamed Mahamed, who finished fourth in the London Marathon and competed at this summer’s Olympic Games.
Community Project of the year
Winner: Fareham Running Club
The club started the Food Bank Run, a nationwide movement which has gone from strength to strength with thousands of runners now running to their local food bank to support the local community. The club has worked hard to promote this movement and spent hours of their own time explaining and inspiring others to pick up a bag of food and make a difference! The club has enjoyed seeing hundreds of local runners get involved, as well as those across the country sharing their Food Bank Runs online.
"Thank you to everyone who's done a Food Bank Run, because it became so much bigger than we ever thought it would"
Runner up: Reading Joggers
The club raised over £3,000 for Brookfields School, a local special needs school that caters for children with learning difficulties. Club members have contributed in a variety of ways, from sponsorship through races to holding a quiz and raffle night. The club has formed a strong partnership with the school, with club members manning a stand at their Christmas Fayre, and even providing gardening services. There is now a longer-term partnership in place, ensuring a lasting ‘legacy’ is made.
Inspiring Official
Winner: John Askew (Bexley AC)
John is a level 4 field official, working at all types of events from the World Champs and Olympics in 2012, to grassroots events such as the Kent Young Athletes league. He has also been a coach, a county representative on committees, and a club servant for nearly 40 years. John has a wealth of knowledge in athletics and happily mentors others to achieve very high standards and understanding. John is deeply respected for his achievements and the kindness he shows officials and athletes.
"As an official, we're there to ensure that it's a safe competition and we're there for the athlete. Whether it's Under-13s, Under-11s or Seniors, we're there to make it work for the athlete"
Winner: Donna Barrington-Smith (Reigate Priory AC)
Donna is a Level 4 Timekeeper, Level 2 Photo Finish, and Level 1 Endurance. Donna's dedication to officiating is evident through her contribution to a wide range of events from club and league matches to county, regional, and national championships. Many officials have significantly benefited from Donna's mentorship, which she does with a positive, encouraging, and professional demeanour. She is an invaluable asset to the South East region and the sport at large, engaging with coaches, athletes, and parents to ensure they have a positive experience.
Winner: Elizabeth Flitcroft (Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC)
Liz is a level 4 field judge, level 2 endurance, level 1 starter/starters assistant and an active coach. Liz is an incredible asset to the athletics community, volunteering her time for athletes during weekdays and officiating on weekends at a wide range of events. Liz is committed to learning new skills, as well as taking the time to support and mentor less experienced officials. Her dedication, warmth, and expertise create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
Newcomer to Volunteering
Winner: Sophie Glencross (Epsom & Ewell Harriers)
Since September 2022, Sophie has been enthusiastically dedicating her Monday evenings to volunteering in the club room! Her exceptional work ethic and proactive approach have truly made her an invaluable asset to the club. Sophie has consistently tackled her responsibilities with unwavering dedication and has helped raise valuable funds for the club through selling club kit, hot and cold drinks, and snacks. As she prepares to embark on her university journey next year, the club will undoubtedly struggle to find someone as remarkably helpful, friendly and self-sufficient as Sophie.
"There is a role in the club for everyone. You might not have thought of it before, but there is always something you can do to help out"
Runner up: Samantha Bayle (Reading Joggers)
After having an operation in January, Sam was unable to run for several months. During this time, she decided to help the club by coming to marshal at training sessions and club events. She has selflessly given up her time by arriving early to set up equipment, being a time keeper, and even becoming a qualified first aider. Sam is always enthusiastic and encouraging, regularly taking time to praise athletes in person as well as on the club’s social media group, helping to build up their confidence.
"I thought it was my opportunity to give something back to the club, because I've got so much out of the club which I will be forever in debt of over the past 22 years."
Contribution to Athletics and Running
Winner: Stephen Scott (Redway Runners)
Steve is the person who quietly gets everything done behind the scenes. He can always be seen setting up a gazebo, transporting equipment, carrying the timing mats, handing out medals, as well as supporting from the sidelines. Steve is a major part of an annual Redway Runner event called MK24, co-ordinating a big team and coming up with solutions to any problems that arise. He always takes time to have a chat if the time allows, and other club members follow his example by volunteering.
Runner up: Caroline Bird (Buckinghamshire AA)
Caroline works tirelessly to organise teams for all the Southern England Inter County Cross Country events, Buckinghamshire teams for National Cross Country events and English Schools fixtures. Caroline has built positive and supportive relationships with all the girls in her squad, encouraging and congratulating them with their running over many years. She fosters an excellent team spirit and sportsmanship within her teams, encouraging them to enjoy the experience of racing and to tackle obstacles together.
Services to Athletics and Running
Winner: Gary Spring (Lingfield RC)
Gary’s journey in the sport started over 40 years ago, in which time he has held a number of major voluntary roles at Lingfield RC such as Membership Secretary, Lingfield 10s Committee, Club-Run leader, and many more. Gary inspires the club and wider community with his desire to serve, selflessness, and creative thinking. His mantra is ‘inclusivity and enjoyment for all’. He has increased club-run participation by finding new trail and road routes, as well as fostering strong relationships with other clubs by organising reciprocal social runs.
"My inspiration is about getting people out to run. We have a lot of members and it's about putting on activities that will make them come out - to see that we're having fun and want to be a part of it"
Winner: Philip Scrase (Alton Runners)
Philip started his running journey 20 years ago, during which time he has organised and taken part in a number of sponsored events to raise money for charity. He has undertaken a variety of club roles including Chairman, Coach and Race Director. Philip has led a team of committee members and coaching leaders that has improved club membership, external communications, and participation in races. He has also overseen improvements to the website and the introduction of a more structured approach to club training sessions.
"We were a small group of Runners when I joined the club, but now we've gone up to nearly 200 members and it's great seeing people coming along to our pub nights and our social activities as well as the training night"