Disability Sports Humber Looking to a Positive Future following Successful Sports Awards, Hull 10k and Hull Half Marathon
Friday June 1 2018 saw Disability Sports Humber hold the “Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Awards for Excellence in Disability Sports” for 400 guests supported by the DoubleTree by Hilton in Hull.
17 Awards were presented by sponsors to the following winners –
Hull Student of the Year: James Eales
Volunteer of the Year: Brid Loubani
Fundraiser of the Year: Janine Houghton
Educational (School, College, University) of the Year: Market Weighton Senior School
Provider of the Year: Olcote Squash Academy
Athlete of the Year: Ben Leech
Young Male Player of the Year: Harry Clegg
Young Female Player of the Year: Milli Leech
Male Player of the Year: Matthew Woollias
Female Player of the Year: Jessica Trowell
Coach of the Year: Lisa Leech
Club of the Year: Kingston Kestrels Para Ice Hockey
Special Moment of the Year: Isaac Harvey
Lifetime Achievement Award: Janet Nolan
Unsung Hero: John Crichton
Unrecognised Hero of the Night: Fiona Morris
Champion of Champions: Janet Nolan
The guests had the pleasure to meet and chat with the Ambassador for Disability Sports Humber, Paralympic UK Judoka and former Kelvin Hall pupil Chris Skelley who spoke about his sporting career to date and where his training is taking him next. Chris attended amidst a busy training schedule that saw him return from Japan two days before and fly out to Korea the very next morning.
The lively, engaging, and often noisy ceremony was hosted by Jo Fleming and Brendon Smurthwaite, two of the Trustees alongside the individual sponsors of the awards who each had picked their own winner ensuring that each was judged on their own merit and nomination. Speaking at the end of the night, Adrian King, Chair of Trustees remarked about how unique the event and the charity is, recognising that each person in the room had a reason to be proud for their contribution and achievement this past year. The night raised £3.5k all of which is guaranteed to go to help people who have a disability to seek out and do the sports that they wish.
On Sunday 10th June, 40 runners competed in the Hull 10k and Hull Half Marathon on behalf of the charity. So far this has realised around £2.5k of sponsorship donations and again every pound of that is guaranteed to go to those with a disability who wish to do sport.
Mr King can now confirm that Disability Sports Humber is looking firmly to the future and to continue with the work was always established to do. The Board will continue to fully support the investigation into the missing funds, but positively and most importantly, Disability Sports Humber is supported in their ambition by the Charity Commission who commended them on their immediate actions and endeavours to keep the charity on track in a very short space of time. Next, they will be widening the membership of the Board, exploring an innovative way of linking the different teams and groups together and will be back on social media and the web very soon.
All enquiries please contact adrian@disabilitysportshumber.com
Pictures: All © Kevin Green Event Photography
The Awards for Excellence in Disability Sports, 1 June 2018 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Hull © Kevin Green Event Photography
Chris Skelley, Ambassador for Disability Sports Humber speaks of his sporting career at the Awards for Excellence in Disability Sports, 1 June 2018 © Kevin Green Event Photography
Members and Winners of Special Olympics Hull receiving the Champion of Champions Awards on behalf of Janet Nolan, sponsored by Hudgell Solicitors and presented by Jane Woodcock (far right). © Kevin Green Event Photography