Nick Ridgeon

Nick, 22 from south shields, works for both South Tyneside and Gateshead Councils, bringing sport to deprived areas and those who may not otherwise gain access to such activities. For example, Nick brings fencing to the masses in PE lessons throughout the borough. He leads summer schools and organises competitions, working with people of all (dis)abilities up to a national level, ranging from toddlers to pensioners. He is particularly close to Matthew, a boy with cerebral palsy. By coaching and socialising with him, he offers his mother respite. He was recently awarded Gateshead Thunder's Clubman of the Year award in his voluntary role as strength and conditioning coach.

Perhaps the best evidence of Nick's generosity in bringing sport to the underprivileged is his trip to Zambia in 2010. Nick raised £5000 through fundraising evenings and sponsored dumb-bell flies (a kilogram for every mile to Zambia and back). In Zambia, he coached children, adults, teachers and coaches. He took with him bags of clothes and equipment to aid their future endeavours, even leaving his own clothes and money.

Nick has had a difficult few years since his father left, leaving Nick, as the eldest child at home, to support his (then unemployed) mother and siblings, financially and emotionally. Yet he continues to devote his life to sport and those he believes can benefit from it. Nick is a role model to anyone struggling financially or emotionally, and offers sport to those, like him, who need it.