Archery man wins first volunteer award

Kevin Wheeler receives his award from Living Sport's Simon Fairhall.

Living Sport launched the new monthly volunteer award scheme in April to recognise the great contribution that volunteers are making to enable community sport to happen in the county.

And Wheeler was named the winner for the first month. Yesterday (May 12) he received an award of a certificate and two free tickets to the annual Living Sport Sports Awards in November.

Wheeler has been a key member of Ramsey Ravens Archery Club since the early days of the club. He took on the role of a coach, doing training in his own time, to make sure the club could hit vital targets.

He takes an active role in hosting pay and play sessions as well as beginner courses and coaching others individually.

He also volunteers the use of his vehicle and trailer to help the club move kit to different sites allowing them to host events around the community.

On top of everything he has designed and devised equipment to help around the club.

Amanda Bakewell from the club that nominated Wheeler said “Kevin is a handyman, he’s a coach, a mentor, and the foundation of the club.

“He is always there. We’d be lost without him. Kevin is just an amazing gentleman in every sense of the word.

“He gives everything and asks for nothing. He never says he can’t and he always spares time to help members with their kit, with answering questions, with finding solutions.”

“I’ve been at the club for about 18 months now and can’t remember a time when Kevin hasn’t been there with a cheery grin, providing help somewhere. He’s just totally awesome.

“He is the first to volunteer, be there to open up, loading up kit, be there at the end, taking kit back to the stores at the end.

“I know he will be embarrassed by the nomination, because in addition to giving everything he never asks for anything in return. And he won’t want the attention. But I think that he truly deserves to be recognised for everything he gives to everyone else.”

Nominations for May’s Volunteer of the month award are already open and close on the last day of the month, with the announcement of the winner shortly after.

To nominate your community volunteer of the month all you need to do is complete a simple online nomination form that can be found at www.livingsport.co.uk where you will also find the award criteria and eligibility information.

The deadline for nominations will be the end of the month. Any nominations received after the end of the month will be put forward to the following month.