University Sport Birmingham Scholar Simon Richards has won the British Triathlon West Midlands Young Volunteer of the Year award.
His major contribution has been the organisation of the Paul Weston Memorial Triathlon, an event for approximately 80 8-16 year olds held at the university for the past 5 years in memory of a past University triathlon club member who tragically died during Simons first year.
As well as being captain of the triathlon club last year, the final year medical student has also helped out with various races in the regional children’s triathlon series.
Voting for the award was done by people involved with triathlon in the region and was presented to Simon last month.
‘It is very humbling to be recognised this way, as it has really been a hard year combining organising the race, being captain and training as a scholar with studying as a medic. Equally however, I received a great deal of help in the organisation of the Paul Western Memorial race, importantly from Daisy Wilson (current club captain), other members of the club, and the city triathlon club (BRAT). Also, I am just another captain from a long line of successors who were each equally deserving of recognition for their efforts.’