Volunteer Awards evening 2024: Yorkshire and Humberside

The Regional Volunteer Awards kickstarted last night in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Treasured volunteers from across the northern counties came together to celebrate the vital contributions of dedicated club and group volunteers. We would like to congratulate all of the winners and runners-up. Join us as we recognise these outstanding individuals below:

Club Leader of the year

Winner: Daniel Barnes (Drighlington Dynamos Running Club)

Daniel Barnes is the current chair and an active coach at Drighlington Dynamos Running Club. Launching the club in 2021, he wanted to make it accessible and inclusive to everyone in the local community. It is now home to 300 members, and hosts weekly running and walking sessions where everyone is welcome. He has attended almost every single session for three years and also supports with leading. He has dedicated a lot of time to making it a safe and welcoming place, installing defibrillators and ensuring all Club Standards are up to date.

"We have pulled a community together, to be shortlisted would be an honour and I can't believe how it feels to have won."

Runner up: Amy Ramsden-Young (Hyde Park Harriers)

Amy Ramsden-Young embodies what it means to be a fantastic community and club leader at Leeds based, Hyde Park Harriers. She was chair at the club for over four years, supporting the club through the challenging covid years to come out the other side stronger and more connected than before. She is always at races supporting every runner, whether first or last over the line. She not only loves celebrating the club's runners and leaders, but also helping out local businesses - and has even supported a local brewery to kickstart their own monthly running club which Hyde Park now provide the leaders for. There are very few members at Hyde Park who have not been supported, inspired and empowered by Amy as both a peer, their chair and now their president. On receiving her award, Amy spoke about fostering a community feel within the club:

"I love seeing what people can achieve and empowering people to do what they don’t think they can and then celebrating them when they succeed and cross that line."

Club of the year

Winner: Drighlington Dynamos Running Club

An inclusive community running club with the motto ‘no-one is left behind’. New members are personally welcomed to the club by the chair and introduced to the run leader and members. They celebrate a member of the month, and support runners from beginners to advanced – creating a real community feel.

Members of the club said: "it is all about local community and bringing everyone together. Our club is one big family and we feel connected. We are a very young club and it is just amazing to win this award."

Runner up: Hyde Park Harriers

The club prides itself on being friendly and inclusive and works alongside the University of Leeds to offer free running sessions to students and members of the community. They offer 12 paced groups, a Run And Talk session and a non-running group for those who want to chat or have an injury. Members are celebrated in monthly awards for club contributions and non-running activities as well as athletic performance. Club chair Toby Adkins said:

"In the last year we have had 50 different people leading the groups and we encourage everyone who helps out and volunteers. Personally I am invested as moving between groups and making friends and getting to know new people. It is a really lovely community club."

Runner up: Methley Striders Running Club

Methley Striders have the motto of ‘no strider left behind’ and anyone regardless of age or experience is welcome. The club also improve the local community through litter picking and flower planting. A monthly social night supports members’ mental health, fosters camaraderie, and raises funds for charitable causes such as MNDA, Macmillan Cancer and Samaritans. Speaking about the social side of their running club, Methley said:

"We're based in a working men's club and we can use it for free, it started small where we would just stay for a drink to say thank you and now it has become a real social base for us where we could raise money, host bake sales and have fun."

Coach of the year

Winner: Dave Bennett (Kingston Upon Hull AC)

Dave Bennett has been coaching throws athletes at Kingston Upon Hull AC for over 30 years. He is informative, supportive and most importantly a fun person to be around. He always tries to maximise potential giving advice and guidance to help his athletes become the best they can be whilst enjoying their journey at the same time. He always shows up to training rain or shine even at 80 years old. He supports his athletes on the good and bad days and is described as the most kind and caring person in the world. Speaking about working with young athletes, Dave said:

"It isn't about me, I am just always happy for the athletes because they achieve so much. They turn up to training and are willing to learn, listen and are dedicated which helps them to achieve such great things."

Runner up: Ian Martin (Vale of York AC)

Ian Martin is not only a coach at Vale of York AC, but also the club's founder. He has a passion for the sport, and supporting athletes young and old to get involved and have fun. He personally offers guidance and encouragement to leaders and coaches, and has assisted many volunteers to start their coaching journey. He is excellent with young athletes and has developed many to competing at high standards but he is also very community focussed giving opportunities for runners of all levels to access competitions and races. He is always looking for ways to better the club, seeking out funding opportunities to create a better experience for members. Speaking about the foundations of the club, Ian said:

"We had no athletics club in Selby whatsoever. We started post Covid as the council had taken away facilities that children needed to exercise. We partnered with the local high school to use their grass track and sports hall in the winter. The highlight for me is seeing the children getting involved and having fun."

Community Project of the year

Winner: Methley Striders

After a change of committee members in 2023, the focus shifted to re-energise Methley Striders, increase membership and support the local community. Their aim has been to help the local community at 12 events supporting so far with litter picking, flower planting and food bank donations. After receiving the award, club members from Methley Striders commented:

"We were inspired by previous Regional Volunteer Awards and so we pledged to try and give back to our community. We have tried to help groups which are close to where we run to make an impact in the local area."

Runner up: Airecentre Pacers

Airecentre Pacers organise an annual Boxing Day seven-mile trail race in the Chevin Forest. The club have increased the amount they donate from the race to local causes from £1250 in 2018 to £20,000 in 2023! This year they gave participants the chance to choose a t-shirt or a tree to be planted, which 400 runners did!

On the evening the club said: "We have a great organising committee and most of the people in the club do volunteer to marshal on boxing day and do a great job each year. It is a magical atmosphere with thousands running the route and thousands spectating each year."

Inspiring Official

Lis Henderson

A level 5 official, Lis Henderson is involved in competitions at all levels from the local Humber Open series to county, northern, national and international meetings - all whilst holding a demanding job. Although leisure time is in short supply, Lis still supports at local events as a technical official and if she has a weekday off work, she will volunteer for school events too. Within a meeting, in addition to officiating Lis will also mentor new and aspiring officials, encouraging club helpers by explaining carefully about the different roles. Having Lis at competitions is a welcome comfort and reassurance as her kind, unflappable nature and expert knowledge are a fantastic asset to the region. Winner Lis commented on receiving her award:

"The rules at level five are the same as level one you just apply them to different athletes. I came back from Lima last week for the World U20's and I am then officiating in Scunthorpe in a few weeks. I have got some fantastic mentors who have been hugely supportive for me and if I can do that for somebody else then that is great."

Tim Hood

Tim Hood is a very committed official and has climbed up the officiating ladder to become a level 4 in both timekeeping and photofinish. His dedication is admirable and he is always the first to arrive at a competition and the last to leave. He doesn't just support at a local level, but also officiates at national and international level competitions. He is passionate about welcoming new people into officiating and has delivered courses to guide the next generation. On collecting his award, Tim said:

"Wherever I can I get out to support at the Humber leagues to ensure that the children can get accurate times. Once the camera is set up every single athlete gets an accurate time and it will encourage them to come back and try again and again."

Jerry Watson

Jerry Watson is a positive, engaging and supportive official who loves everything about our sport. He has committed a great deal of time to his officiating, he has achieved his level 4 track judge, and level 3 endurance and race walking qualifications. Jerry will always be there to support at the track in all weathers, helping set up competitions and guiding new officials with a smile. He is an asset to the officiating community and the sport. Speaking on his experience, Jerry said:

"You want officials to have a good time and return. You don’t want people to not enjoy their time so I make sure everyone is welcome.” On his new venture into race walking, Jerry said: “I recently got into race walking officiating as the community was looking for new people throughout the country so more races were able to take place."

Newcomer to Volunteering

Winner: Will Parker (Cleethorpes AC)

Will Parker joined Cleethorpes AC as a junior over 11 years ago and enjoyed participating as an endurance athlete. After stepping away from the sport, Will returned a couple of years ago to undertake his coaching qualifications and is now a qualified Athletics coach specialising in endurance. At not even 20 years old, Will has taken on many different roles during the past few years, including a time on the Club committee, officiating and supporting the organisation of competitions within the club and across the Humber. He is committed to his training group and will support his athletes at local events and league fixtures. Speaking on the night, Will said:

"For once I feel speechless. I like being part of the club which gave me so much from being young. In athletics I found that it is just about you, whether you come first or last the coaches treat you the same and support you. The coaches we have at the club are amazing and I just wanted to try and fill their big shoes."

Runner up: Helen Adams (Bedale and Aiskew Runners )

Helen Adams sits on the Bedale and Aiskew Runners committee as the communications officer and has been pivotal in supporting the club's drive to become fully inclusive. Helen has increased the profile of the club regionally and regularly celebrates the successes of club members no matter how long, short, slow or fast. Helen has also led from the front organising a walking programme to get people who may be injured or unable to run into the club, benefitting people in the local community. Speaking about some of the programmes she works on, Helen said:

"We have recently had a wellness day where we promoted our running and our nordic walking to put ourselves into the heart of a community. We have had a huge take up in Bedale and it’s great to see people progress from walking to running."

Contribution to Athletics and Running

Winner: Humber County Athletics Association

The Humber County Athletics Association have been running local competitions since the 1970s and it has provided a fantastic competition pathway for athletes from U11 all the way through to masters. Open to clubs across the region, each event attracts over 200 athletes. Not only do the competitions give opportunities for athletes of all levels, but they also help people to take their first steps into volunteering and officiating. Not part of a traditional league structure the competition series welcomes single athletes, new track and field clubs, or local road running clubs to give track competitions a go. The officials are also very supportive and enthusiastic ensuring that everyone's first experiences of the competition are super positive, welcoming and informative. County secretary John said:

"We are a very positive Association and always want to add new opportunities for athletes. We have recently added new combined events and road championships. We also work with local clubs, not only traditional track and field clubs, to try and introduce new people to officiating."

Runner up: Barry Barnes (Doncaster AC)

Barry Barnes has made a fantastic contribution to athletics and running in Doncaster. As a coach of over 40 years, Barry is still coaching and mentoring new athletes at age 80. An inspirational person, Barry was a founding member of Doncaster AC and will be at the track three times per week and at every competition supporting his athletes. He welcomes endurance athletes of all ages and abilities to his training group, and is a real asset to the club. Speaking about the club, Barry said:

"The club is all about young people and when I stopped running I still wanted to be involved. I get a lot of pleasure of out people achieving their potential and there is no pressure. I have been around for a long time and I will hopefully be still around to see a lot more."

Services to Athletics and Running

Geoff Barraclough (City of York AC)

Geoff Barraclough has been a volunteer with City of York AC for almost 50 years and has had a lengthy career in athletics as both a young athlete and coach. After an injury ended his competitive career, Geoff then shifted his attention to supporting his children and got into volunteering as a parent helper, then coach and time keeper. Aged 89, Geoff is still coaching his sprints group at City of York and his passion and drive remains strong. It was his love of athletics, that he credits as helping him recover from cancer and a heart attack. It is testament to Geoff's caring and dedicated nature that many athletes who he has coached now bring their children to join his groups many decades later. As well as supporting hundreds of athletes throughout his career, Geoff also had the delight of coaching his grandson, Richard Buck, supporting him on his journey to the Beijing Olympic Games over 400m.

"I am overwhelmed at what my group have had to say. A lot of the people have brought their children back, a lot of the mothers and fathers have come back to me to restart training. There's one young chap aged 86, and he is second in the country in the javelin and discus. A few years ago we didn't have a 400m club record for an 85 year-old so I took him under my wing and he set a new record.

"It is not work it is pleasure. It is having a good relationship with the athletes and getting out there. I don't have to do an awful lot, I tell them what to do and they get on and do it. It is everything to me seeing athletes get to where they want to be and doing better than they thought they could. The athletes give me the energy and without them I wouldn't be same."

Dave Paver

Dave Paver has been generously volunteering his time in North Yorkshire for over 30 years, sharing his knowledge and expertise. Even at the age of 70 he still holds the title of club secretary for City of York AC, is a runner, coach, official and competition organiser across the north of England. He has single handedly ensured that school athletics, sportshall and cross country opportunities remain for children and adults across the region. As a coach he has introduced hundreds of athletes to our sport and encouraged people to live happy and healthy lives in athletics. His work ethic and values have made him the go to person in the club and community and will always try and deliver the impossible.

Mark Hetherington (Abbey Runners)

Mark Hetherington has been a huge part of the running community for the last 26 years and joined Abbey Runners shortly after. He very quickly became an integral part of the club and has held many positions from coach, comms officer and club president. He has spent many years on the committee and has also been a local race director for many different fixtures. He hasn't only made a huge difference at club level but also across the region too, giving exciting and outstanding race opportunities to clubs and runners. He is an outstanding coach who uses his background in sports science to plan sessions and help athletes, working with them week in week out. Mark set up the junior section of the club and runs the development group sessions, supporting new runners in the local community to get involved. On receipt of his services award, Mark said:

"We have got a lot of good volunteers in our club and it has always been very outward looking, not just about what we can do within the club. It is instead whether we can put on a new race or support a new league structure in some way."