Ex-service men up for the challange
BLESMA (British Limbless Ex Service Men's Association), because he wanted to thank some volunteers from Port of Plymouth Canoeing Association for a canoeing day that they organised. Please see his story below:
GB Paracanoeist Wins Regional Award
Kayaker, Lucy Gardener, has been presented with the prestigious, Female Sports Personality of the Year Award at the 2010 npower North East Disability Sports Awards held at Durham County Cricket Club.
Lucy has been kayaking for five years and has achieved a great deal in a little time. In August 2009, she entered the World Championships in Canada; it was the first time disabled kayaking was included and Lucy was the first woman to represent Great Britain in the category. Placing fifth in the 200m race Lucy went on to win the ladies National Championships in September. Lucy was presented with her award by Paralympic sprinter, Hazel Robson.
Gary Doig, npower's community involvement manager, said: "Lucy is now working towards the 2010 World Championships in Poland and, although kayaking is not included in the 2012 Paralympics, she has her sights set on 2016. Her enthusiasm and commitment is what commended her to the judging panel and was a reason for awarding her one of the three, annual npower bursaries."
Coach is Surprised Winner at Annual Awards Ceremony
Former Olympian John Court, has been awarded the prestigious 2010 npower Midlands Disability Sports Ambassador of Sport award at the gala celebration organised by the English Federation of Disability Sport held at Aston Villa Football Club, Birmingham.
John was presented with the award for his campaigning for adaptive outrigger-canoeing to be recognised at local, national and international level. During his involvement in the sport he has formulated a classification system and lobbied for adaptive outrigger canoeing to be included in the Paralympics and worked on developing seating solutions for spinal-cord injury paddlers.
John coached disability crews for both the 2005 and 2008 world outrigger canoe championships and he actively fundraised in order to get those crews to the championships. He promotes outrigger canoeing for people, often with severe learning difficulties, within Stoke-on-Trent and North.
Kevin Rodgers, community involvement executive for sponsors, npower, comments: "The Ambassador award is the most important award of the Midlands Disability Sports Awards evening; it is presented to someone who has committed their life to developing disability sport and has facilitated the enjoyment and achievement of others. John is a worthy winner."