Employees at Stockport not-for-profit sports and leisure company Life Leisure have been recognised in an extra-special awards ceremony.
Life Leisure, which manages 12 sports and leisure facilities in and around the town, hosted a gala event at Colshaw Hall in Cheshire.
It was an opportunity to thank its employees for the work they do to help Stockport residents get fitter and healthier – from losing weight or gaining confidence to becoming more active through training or learning a new sport.
It was an extra-special night for hundreds of staff as they celebrated the 10th anniversary of the awards.
Many of the categories on the night were for those who put in their own personal best performance to embody Life Leisure’s W.A.T.C.H. principles – Winner, Authenticity, Together, Caring and Happy.
They included Adam Heywood, who won the Authenticity Award having worked his way up from receptionist to fitness manager.
The Caring Award went to the PARiS team, which manages physical activity referrals from healthcare professionals.
Due to the high number of nominations and performance level there were three recipients for the Personal Best Champion of the Year award – Andy Reed, duty manager at Avondale, Danielle McMahon, duty manager at Houldsworth Village, and Nicole Rothwell, senior health and fitness coach at Avondale.
Stockport Metro swimmer Holly Hibbott was named Honorary RTB Board Member and Centre of the Year was Houldsworth Village, which has been transformed into Life Leisure’s largest gym and a centre of excellence for British Weight Lifting, winning two leading industry awards in the last 12 months.
Centre of the Year was Houldsworth Village, which began as an old, derelict building and has been transformed into Life Leisure’s largest gym and a centre of excellence for British Weight Lifting, winning two leading industry awards in the last 12 months.
Life Leisure’s CEO Malcolm McPhail said: “It was a fantastic celebration of achievement for all our employees after another highly successful year for Life Leisure.
“I am so proud of how our winners go above and beyond every day for our members.
“The awards paid tribute to a whole host of people like Caroline, who is always dependable, efficient and unfailingly committed to her job.”
Life Leisure annual awards winners
| Award | Winner |
| David Hopkins Award | Caroline Hunt |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Ellen McDowall |
| Alwin Thompson Scholarship Award | Della Roberts |
| Sentinel of the Year | Amy Rose |
| Winner Award | Kingsley Child |
| Authenticity Award | Adam Heywood |
| Together Award | Daniel Woolley |
| Caring Award | The PARiS Team |
| Happy Award | Matt Skates |
| Honorary RTB Board Member | Holly Hibbott |
| Centre of the Year | Houldsworth Village |
| Team of the Year | The Tender Team |
| PB Champions of the Year | Andy Reed, Danielle McMahon, Nicole Rothwell |
| Individual Achievement Award/Special Recognition | Ross McGuigan, Darren Brosnahan |