Canoeing

Contact: Gareth Field   Tel No. 07738 185885   Email:gareth@bcu.org.uk

Website: www.bcu.org.uk

CANOE ENGLAND PRESS RELEASE

19th January 2009

 

Olympic Champion recognises North West’s Volunteers

 

Olympic Champion Tim Brabants MBE led the presentation of awards to England’s most deserved volunteers and coaches on Saturday (January 17^th). Having been recently recognised in the New Years Honours List, Brabants presented awards to three volunteers from the North West region at the Canoe England Volunteer & Recognition Awards held at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham.

 

Following the success of last year’s awards programme, the Canoe England Volunteer & Recognition Awards recognised Chesire’s Graeme Haigh and Cumbria’s Doug Hardie and Colin Litten.

 

Having joined the Oakhanger Project, Cheshire, three years ago, Graeme Haigh was honoured as Canoe England Young Volunteer of the Year. Headteacher Doug Hardie was awarded Teacher of the Year for his involvement in Paddlesport as a volunteer as well as the impact he has had on the sport at Thomlinson Junior School, Cumbria. 

 

Colin Litten from Cumbria also received honours for Access Volunteer of the Year but was unable to attend.

 

“All three volunteers are an inspiration to us all and they join a fantastic network of volunteers and coaches who dedicate their time and energy to the sport,” says Julia Robertson, Volunteer Development Officer for Canoe England. “Their input can, directly and indirectly, help our countries paddlers to achieve their best whether this is as a club volunteer, official, or coach.”

 

Dr. Tim Brabants, aged 31 years old, is the current Olympic Champion in the men’s K1 (kayak single) 1000m and he also won a bronze medal in the 500m event in Beijing. Tim is also the current World and European Champion.

 

Anyone interested in volunteering in Paddlesport should contact Julia Robertson on 0845 3709530 or email volunteers@bcu.org.uk.

Graeme Haigh , Oakhanger Project, Cheshire (Young Volunteer of the Year)

Graeme Haigh joined the Oakhanger Project in Cheshire three years ago and now helps to lead activities for young people with special needs. Graeme is now the junior leader within the project and has taken on this role with enthusiasm. He makes a valuable contribution to the development of the project and now sits on the management committee to represent the views of young people.