Published at 13:09, Sunday, 21 October 2012

A FITNESS instructor who has been the driving force behind a community running group has been nominated for a Love Barrow Award.

RECOGNITION: Fitness instructor Ian Jones helped to set up the Walney Wind Cheetahs running group

Ian Jones, health and fitness officer at Park Leisure Centre in Barrow, was involved in setting up the Walney Wind Cheetahs.

The group was born out of sessions organised to get people fit ahead of the annual Energy for Life Walney Fun Run. It is open to anyone, of any fitness level, and designed and to get families more active and healthier.

The group has reached more than 160 members of various fitness levels, with sessions run most days of the week and an average of 60 to 70 people attending each time.

Mr Jones has been nominated for Sports Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by A Holdens Ltd, in the Love Barrow Awards 2013.

The anonymous group member, who is one of three people to nominate Mr Jones, said: “Ian does all of this in his own time and shows an untold amount of dedication to ensuring anyone and everyone who is willing to improve their health and fitness are afforded an unequivocal amount of time.

“There is no more fitting person for this award, a person who is willing to help anyone and everyone.

“Although all members have been involved in group activities, it was the sheer dedication and motivation of Ian that has inspired not just those involved at the start, but many a person who just wants to be healthier.”

The Walney Wind Cheetahs won group of the year at the Run England North West Regional Awards and are finalists at the upcoming England Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony.

Mr Jones will also be recognised at the Torch Trophy Awards in London in December and says he is embarrassed by the attention.

He said: “If people don’t turn up and run, there is no group. It’s a team effort. The best thing is, all these people were basically inactive before they came.”

To nominate your local hero(es), go to www.lovebarrowawards.co.uk or pick up a form from the Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management Team office in Dalton Road.

The deadline is November 5.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk