East Midlands Run England Volunteers Awarded

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In what has been an incredible year for volunteering in sport, Run England's volunteers in the East Midlands, who enthusiastically drive running forwards in the area, have been recognised for their efforts at the 2012 England Athletics East Midlands Awards Ceremony at the Quorn Grange Hotel near Loughborough.

The presentations were performed by Chris Jones, Acting CEO for England Athletics, and by some regional councillors to the following recipients. 

Chris said: "During 2012 the important role of the volunteer has been captured in shining lights through the work of the Games Makers, the officials and the other volunteers who have made this year such a special one. Whilst the Games Makers rightfully received extensive media coverage through the national press and television, at a local level volunteering is part and parcel of our great sport. To recognise the specific winners of the 2012 East Midlands volunteer awards at this event was both fitting and representative of the wide ranging effort going on across the region as a whole and on a regular basis."

Run England Leader and Group of the Year – Fiona Fiander & Rushden Runners

The Run England Awards were new categories for 2012 and these two were presented together. Fiona Fianda picked up the Run England Leader Award for her enthusiasm and drive to ensure that everyone succeeds in achieving their goals as part of her group.  Fiona started Rushden Runners in early 2011 as a beginners group and it has grown to include both established runners and as well as beginners.  Fiona has made running a fun and a very sociable activity which has been the secret to the group’s success.  Group members have become friends and developed a real enthusiasm for running, which has led them to regularly take part in 5 and 10K runs, parkruns, marathons and fun runs.

The group has over 50 people registered and they regularly introduce new beginner courses to bring new people into the group. They work in partnership with Wellingborough & District Athletics Club who signpost any new runners to the group and in return, Rushden Runner signpost any interested runners to W&DAC. The group now organises regular social events and even has its own Facebook page!

Run England Project of the Year - Leicestershire and Rutland Sport / Leicestershire Vision 2020 Network

This award goes to a County Sports Partnership and Athletics Network for their collaborative approach to developing the Run England programme across an entire county. As a CSP team they have worked closely with the Network coordinator to capture all opportunities to encourage new runners. When the opportunity to bid for extra funding to progress the Run England project came about they were immediately supportive and engaged with the NGB through the Network to set ambitious targets and produce a plan to enable them to expand the project.

Working together with the Run England Local Activator they have continued to support and assist with driving forward the project.