MEDIA RELEASE
Issued: December 15, 2016
PICTURE: The Management Team from Potters Resort who sponsored the ‘Community Champion’ Award with John Doherty and awards founder Susie Cornell MBE CLICK HERE
School's 'Community Champion' receives award
Davenant Foundation School's Head of Year 11, John Doherty, received a Pride of Essex Community Champion Award 2016 at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford.
He was nominated by Courtney Culverhouse, from Cancer Research.
Mr Doherty has taken a group of 20-plus students to the Epping Race for Life event at North Weald Airfield since 2006.
The partnership has seen more than 350 Davenant students volunteer at the annual event.
Courtney said: "Each year he speaks passionately to the students as well as allowing us the opportunity to address an assembly and consistently recruits a large team of enthusiastic volunteers.
"They arrive on-site six hours before the start of the Race and immediately get stuck in, helping to set-up equipment and unload kit and deliveries.
"The Davenant students get involved in all aspects of the event, including course set-up, marshalling, the finish area, administration and de-rig/litter-picking.
"The students are consistently enthusiastic, eager to help, polite and always so supportive of our participants.
"They remain on-site until about 10pm when event has finished, all equipment has been de-rigged and the last piece of litter has been picked up.
"It’s a long shift, sometimes in wet and windy conditions, but they have never failed to give less than 100 per cent in terms of their effort and support.
"John is the voice of Cancer Research UK and Race for Life in the school community, engaging the support of a large number of students and their friends and families every year.
"The students show a great interest in the charity and, as a result, have become great supporters, acting as advocates of Cancer Research UK and Race for Life, encouraging others to support.
"I believe that many of these young people will go on to continue volunteering for Cancer Research UK as a result of their experience and the awareness brought to them during their time with John and Davenant Foundation School.
"Everywhere you look on race day, Davenant Foundation School students are working tirelessly to make sure the event is a success.
"We couldn’t do it without them and they are the life and soul of the team! They have helped us to raise an incredible £1.5m through the event and playing a huge part in beating cancer sooner."
Mr Doherty said: "It was incredibly humbling to receive this award.
"In accepting the award I need to pay tribute to the hundreds of Davenant Sixth Form volunteers that have helped Cancer Research UK at Race for Life over the last 11 years.
"I thank them all for rising to the challenge and making a difference in their community."
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