Helen Mackenzie

In August 2009 Helen was diagnosed with breast cancer and she had months to live. Helen treats herself as living proof that cancer research works and only wants to help others. Helen is inspiring and enthusiastic in all that she does but in particular through sport. Through her love of sport she engages with children and young people to enable them to reach their true potential. Her ethos is to promote sport as being fun and achievable to all. Helen has championed the new sport of Rocketball, established swimming clubs, revived Ripon's sports day, arranged, organised and accompanied young people when they represent their area at County Youth Games which encourage children and young people to take part in a wide variety of sporting events and has run summer sporting schools. One asset to the city is that she has run the Young Sports Leaders award. Many young people have gained this qualification and now can be called upon to assist with sporting events across the city. Without Helen, the children and young people of Ripon would not have had the opportunities they have had to take part in sporting events in a supported and encouraged environment whatever their ability. We nominate Helen to carry the torch for her great personal sacrifice in the face of serious illness and her endless enthusiasm in helping others reach their true potential. We would like this nomination to be considered along with that of Sylvia (Mother to Helen)