Two swimming coaches have won Halifax Giving Extra Awards in their local communities. The winners are amongst the 66 local winners recognised by their local panel, for their commitment to supporting young people participate in sport:
• Leah Morgan, Swansea
• Charles Rogers, Skegness
Now in its third year, the Halifax Giving Extra Awards reward people who bring communities together and help them thrive. Charity fundraisers, sports coaches, community volunteers and many more have been recognised for the contribution they make. The Awards are an important part of Lloyds Banking Group’s ambition to help Britain prosper.
Leah Morgan: Nominated by Sian Clement, Leah was recognised for voluntarily running a triathlon club and swimming school in Swansea.
Leah voluntarily runs the Swansea Trisharks triathlon club and has been coaching swimming for the past 27 years. She tirelessly helps with all aspects of the club, taking children to competitions and teaching all ages and abilities to swim. She is passionate about giving young people sporting opportunities and volunteers at a local swimming school to encourage children with special needs to learn to swim.
Leah said: “I was shocked and delighted to win a Halifax Giving Extra Award. It is nice to be recognised after years and years of volunteering”.
Charles Rogers: Nominated by Helen Banham, Chair of Skegness Amateur Swimming Club, Charles has been recognised for his dedication to his local swimming club, Skegness Amateur Swimming Club.
Although retired, Charles continues to dedicate his life to swimming and coaching and works hard to support the Club’s youngsters improve their swimming. For the past five years he has committed over eight hours of coaching each week, as well as attending meets and competitions at weekends.
Charles has helped the Club progress from a start-up to a highly competitive squad with swimmers competing in County, Regional and National competitions and is developing a long-term plan for those he sees as having the talent and ambition to succeed in their sport.
The Club views him as both its ‘rock’ and a ‘Grandfather’ figure who helps swimmers of all abilities to achieve their best and he is an inspiration for them all. Anyone interested in joining or volunteering should visit www.skegnessasc.org for more information.
Upon winning, Charles said: “I was surprised but also delighted to win a Halifax Giving Extra Award. It was such an honour to just be nominated, so I am hugely proud to have actually won this on behalf of the whole team at Skegness Amateur Swimming Club.”
The 66 local Halifax Giving Extra Award winners will each receive £300 in Supercheque vouchers. Each one of the 66 local winners will then be put forward to be chosen as one of our seven regional winners. Regional winners will be announced by the end of February and will each receive £5,000 to make a further difference in their community.
Russell Galley, Group Director, Halifax Community Bank, said: “Halifax is committed to bringing communities closer together. We believe we should give extra back to people like Leah and Charles who are pivotal to driving positive and lasting change. We’re proud that they are amongst our Halifax Giving Extra Award winners.”
Halifax received thousands of nominations from across the country for this year’s Giving Extra Award. These ranged from:
• inspiring individuals who have founded charities and foundations, as well as those who regularly go above and beyond to raise money for charitable causes
• those who go the extra mile and give a huge amount of time and effort to improve their community – opening centres for local people to enjoy, helping coach youth teams or running social clubs
• as well as people who lend their support to the vulnerable and those in need, organising food banks, companionship for the elderly and isolated or support groups offering counselling or practical advice
Nominations for the Halifax Giving Extra Awards, in association with Global’s Capital and Heart brands, were made online or in Halifax branches throughout October and November 2015, and judging took place in January 2016. www.halifax.co.uk/
Swimming news courtesy of Lloyds Banking Group.
