Sporting stars & community heroes recognised at Lincolnshire Sport and Physical Activity Awards
Hosted by BBC Radio Lincolnshire's Rob Makepeace and Carla Greene, Lincolnshire’s biggest celebration of sport and physical activity was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton on Thursday 11 November.
Organised by Active Lincolnshire and headline-sponsored by Lincoln Water Park, these awards, now in their 17th year, recognise the positive impact physical activity has on people’s lives, and celebrate those who actively contribute to the health and wellbeing of Lincolnshire residents.
To an audience of local businesses, friends and family, nine winners were recognised for their positive impact and contribution to sport and physical activity.
The penultimate award of the evening, Active Champion, went to Gemma Warrington.
In October 2020 Gemma Warrington decided to make changes to her health and wellbeing as she was feeling “completely fed up, stressed, anxious, overwhelmed and insecure”. Since October, she has lost an incredible 5st 5lbs and has transformed her life. Not only has Gemma’s fitness increased, she now has a love for being active.
Gemma said: "When you get to rock bottom, and you know physically and mentally you have to do something you have to pull yourself out of that hole, and no matter how much anyone tells you to do, unless you want to do it, you won’t do it.
"Nothing's going to change unless you make it change. I think it’s about consistency and commitment to yourself; you don’t have to do it for anyone else, no-one is going to be there saying, "Did you do it?", "Why haven’t you done it?" "When are you going to do it?"...it has to be for you to check in with yourself and make that commitment to yourself every day."
Emma Tatlow, CEO of Active Lincolnshire, added: "The awards event is always inspiring and uplifting, and this year was no different. We had over 200 nominations, and the judges had a really tough time choosing the finalists and winners.
"Everyone here has shown the positive impact sport and physical activity has on people’s daily lives. I want to thank everyone who has participated in the awards, our sponsors, judges. And say a huge congratulations to the finalists and winners who are truly an inspiration and should be so proud of their achievements."
27 finalists attended the evening and were recognised in nine categories each sponsored and presented on the evening by a local business.