By Barry Newcombe
Sports volunteers from all parts of the United Kingdom were honoured by the Torch Trophy Trust at their annual awards presentation at the Army and Navy Club in London last week.
The Duke of Kent presented 20 volunteers with trophies to mark their contributions to different sports over many years. Sir Bobby Charlton, president of the Torch Trophy Trust, also praised the recipients.
The recipients included Desi Dillingham, of London, who as chair of British Dressage oversaw the integration of para-equestrian sport; Ronnie Hart, from Liverpool, who created the Aintree Fun Run and the Liverpool Half-marathon; Mandy Hunt, from Derbyshire, who has been a volunteer in swimming for 36 years; and Donald Swanson, from Peebles, who has been involved with the Peebles Rugby Club since 1947.
Presentations were made to:
Richard Bonehill, St Ives, nominated by British Fencing.
Janet Cartwright, Huddersfield, nominated by Girlguiding UK.
Jenifer Davidson, Edinburgh, nominated by Lacrosse Scotland.
Basil Dawkins, Buckinghamshire, nominated by the British Judo Association.
Desi Dillingham, London, nominated by the British Equestrian Federation.
Kenneth Gibbs, Glasgow, nominated by Scottish Squash.
Ronnie Hart, Liverpool, nominated by Clubs for Young People.
Douglas Hird, Dewsbury, nominated by the Rugby Football League.
Peter Hughes, Burnley, nominated by the Rugby Football Union.
Mandy Hunt, Derbyshire, nominated by the Amateur Swimming Association.
Dick Laslett, Kent, nominated by England Hockey.
Clive Lee, Redcar, nominated by British Gymnastics.
Vibert Murdock,London, nominated by Sports Leaders UK.
Bob Patterson, Kent, nominated by the Cricket Foundation.
Kenneth Richbell, Essex, nominated by Buckhurst Hill Junior FC.
Ken Robertson, Devon, nominated by British Cycling.
James Rossiter, Surrey, nominated by the British Canoe Union.
Donald Swanson. Peebles, nominated by Scottish Rugby.
Bryan Whalley, Middlesex, nominated by the Tennis Foundation.
Brian A White, Weymouth, nominated by the Football Association.
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