Mike Dunham

I nominated myself for volunteering and coaching within the local athletics club and community. I have been an active member of the club for many years as a runner and committee member and wanted to put something back. The club is self funding, providing athletics and running for around 250 members from the age of 8 upwards, so additional support and volunteering ensures all ages have the opportunity to learn.

Due to my time in the sport I went into coaching, studying and attending courses to become qualified to be able to support other coaches and lead coaching groups. In addition to coaching at the club approximately 6 hours a week, I undertake membership secretary duties, help in fundraising (we needed 60k for an extension), coach at county level workshops and help organise and support athletic meetings at the club athletics track.

To help promote the club and let people know what we can do in the community I have also volunteered and attended initiatives at sports events, including a local junior school where I organised and ran an after school athletics club which would not have been available without me.

Mike is an exemplar when it comes down to the Olympic ethos. A true Olympic Champion. He has committed himself to his love of Athletics and does this all voluntarily within the community. None of this impacts his work, in fact adds value to his work as he is able to transfer many of the coaching skills that he has learnt over the years to the workplace.