Awards show real reward for region's heroes and champions
- 24th August 2010

A winner from last year's Hull and East Yorkshire (HEY) Sporting Heroes and Champions Awards is set to reap the benefits of his dedication to sport next week.

Left to right: Harry Withers being presented with his cheque by Iain Bland from PDS

Fourteen-year-old wheelchair racer Harry Withers triumphed at last year's awards, organised by First Hull Trains and KCFM 99.8, in the Talented Amateur Disabled Performer category.

Now, Harry is being awarded a grant by the awards initiative to help him further his sporting achievements - it comes as a result of funds raised through last year's awards being ploughed back into sports development.

The category Harry won last year was sponsored by thriving local business Paragon Data Services (PDS) and the company's managing director is set to present him with a cheque for £850.

The grant has been carefully allocated by the sports awards team to allow Harry to pay for his competitions for a year, as well as providing him with some vital training equipment. This support will not only benefit Harry and help him in achieving his sporting ambitions but will also relieve his parents of some of the financial burden.

David Townend, sales and marketing manager at First Hull Trains, said: "We're delighted to be presenting Harry with this grant money to help him on his way to becoming a truly great athlete.

"These awards were organised to recognise and reward our local sporting heroes and champions and Harry is a shining example of what it means to be ambitious and dedicated to achieving. I wish him every success in the future and hope that the money from the HEY Sports Awards grant scheme goes some way to helping him achieve his goals."

Award sponsor and managing director at PDS, Iain Bland, said: "It's fantastic that athletes like Harry are reaping the rewards of their hard work and dedication. PDS is proud to be part of the fantastic work that the sports awards continues to do and I hope Harry goes on to be a great athlete, it would be brilliant to see him representing our country one day."

The grant scheme has been made possible as a result of the incredible amount of money raised during the 2009 awards. Following research into potential funding opportunities, nearly £5,000 will be distributed to local individuals and clubs, helping the development of local heroes and champions and encouraging participation in sport in Hull and the East Riding.

Two different types of funding have been established to suit the winning categories from the HEY Sports Awards. Heroes Grants will be awarded to those who show exceptional talent, commitment and sporting achievement in their field, but may have limited means to purchase equipment or training necessary to progress. Champions Grants will be awarded to those who help provide leisure activities with a view to increasing the conditions of life through sport, whether this is through an educational establishment, charitable organisation, club or association.

Andy Barber, charity manager for the KCFM Smile Foundation, who has helped organise the distribution of the grant money said: "This is the first of many grant payments we will make to last year's winners, ranging from £100 through to £1,000.

"This funding will support athletes who might not have the means to pay for equipment and progression themselves."

For more information please contact First Hull Trains' press team at Mercury. Please ring Kelly Todd or Gabrielle Meade on 01482 869553 www.mercury-marketing.co.uk