Dedicated student volunteer Heidi was a finalist in the Active Hyndburn Awards.
Hours of dedication helping to run gymnastics classes earned Heidi a finalist place in the Active Hyndburn Awards.
Heidi, 15, Year 11, has been volunteering with Hyndburn Leisure Centre since she was 13.
“I have been teaching gymnastics and I have learnt a lot of skills including teambuilding and leadership; I have also sometimes helped to run holiday clubs and used to help on Saturdays as well as midweek. The club can have up to 16 children of primary age and if they are struggling, I will talk to them and try to understand them. I felt a bit nervous when I found out about the award, but I was also excited.”
She started helping at the centre as her mum Sophie works there, and she asked Heidi if she wanted to help out.
At the awards presentation at Accrington Town Hall on Friday, September 26, Heidi was one of seven finalists in the Volunteer of the Year Category, and her parents, Sophie and Steven, were there to cheer her on.
She also got to meet Paralympian gold medalist rower Gregg Stevenson, from Foulridge, who talked about his sporting journey after being injured while serving his country and presented the award winners and finalist certificates. The Volunteer category was keenly contested, with the winner announced as Joyce Miller from Great Harwood Otters Swimming Club.
She has been dancing since starting at Wonderland in Accrington at the age of three.
It is Heidi’s dream to pursue a dance career, and she is already a member of Shockout Academy in Salford and KXT in Manchester.
