East Region volunteer award winners recognised

Last Sunday not only saw the second day of competition of the England Athletics U17 and U15 championships; but also celebrated the winners of the 2015 EA Volunteer Awards awarded by the East Regional Council. 

Tom Johnston and Luke Renouf of Fen Edge Runners received their trophies and certificates from regional councillor and Youth Advisory Group secretary Anthony Church in front of the spectators, coaches, athletes and officials present at the Bedford International Stadium.

Tom and Luke deliver local 'pop up' beginners' running groups in a number of different villages in Cambridgeshire. These are community-based, progressive programmes that feed into the main Fen Edge Runners club sessions. The sessions are all provided by Tom and Luke on a voluntary basis, and are aimed at local villages that have limited provision for sport and exercise.

They were also instrumental in the development of sessions aligned with local schools (Swavesey Village College and Cottenham Academy in particular) and workplace groups also. These are delivered as inclusive, no-pressure groups aimed at getting new people trying athletics.

Over 300 individuals attended the groups last year, the majority of whom are still running. Tom and Luke promote local parkruns and races as a goal for people completing the group sessions, in addition to local clubs. Tom and Luke are great role models and inspirational leaders, and deserve wider recognition.

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The winners of the East region will join the winners from the other eight regional councils for consideration for the national volunteer awards which once again will take place in conjunction with the England Athletics Hall of Fame event in October. Tickets for the night will be available through our website soon. 

Congratulations to all the East Region Volunteer Award winners for 2015 for all their efforts in helping deliver and drive forward our sport. Other regional winners will be announced soon.

If you know of a worthy winner of the 2016 awards, then make sure you nominate them when the 2016 nomination period opens next spring.

Click here to read about the other winners.