Gym fixed it for us!

9:29pm Sunday 20th May 2007

Comments (0)   Have your say »

TWO young gymnasts were doing cartwheels when they learned they had won the Young Community Champions award.

Izaac Turner, 13, and Peter Newton, 11, were proud to pick up the joint award in the council chamber at the Civic Offices for the coaching roles they have at Swindon School of Gymnastics.

Every Saturday morning the lads give up their spare time to coach some of the younger members of the group, which include children with disabilities.

The coaches at the club were so impressed by their attitude and commitment they felt the pair deserved some recognition for their voluntary work.

Swindon Mayor Mike Bawden and Advertiser editor Mark Waldron were present at the ceremony to hand over the glass shield to the deserving pair.

Izaac has been involved in gymnastics since the age of six and trains at the Swindon club five days a week.

He said: "We were really happy and pleased to get this award. It was a little surprising to be nominated, but to actually win is great."

The St Joseph's Catholic College pupil added: "It was exciting to get the award especially from the mayor, who I had never met before. It was a proud moment."

The boys have been coaching for a number of years and they said they thoroughly enjoyed that side of gymnastics.

Izaac is also part of the South West six-strong team which recently competed in a national final in Newcastle with the team finishing second overall.

Peter attends Bradon Forest School and has been a member of the gymnastics club for three years. He has chronic fatigue syndrome so cannot train as much as he would like, but was delighted with the award.

"I am so pleased," he said. "It really is good to get it.

"We try to teach them basic routines in the lessons, such as how to use the swings and high bar.

"Also involved in the routines is the vault.

"After learning these movements they can then compete in club competitions."

The awards are run by the Advertiser and Swindon Council to give recognition for work in the community.

They were split up into six categories. The boys won the Young Champion award, the Environment Champion was won by Terry Hayward, Carol Gibbon and Tina Mackie received the Group Champion award for setting up the Community cafes in Freshbrook and Toothill, while the Teacher Champion award was presented to Wendy Craig.

The Sport Champion award went to Allan Minn and Marion Coffey received the Community Champion after fostering children for more than 40 years.