A winner of last year’s Hyndburn Sports Awards is hoping to inspire the next generation of sports people.
Paul Becouran, 32, of Oswaldtwistle, won the Inspire Award at last year’s annual Sports Awards for his outstanding work with recovering substance misusers.
Recalling last year’s success Paul, manager of a rehabilitation centre, said he had no idea what to expect when he attended the ceremony.
He said: “I saw all the tables and thought ‘I don’t have a chance here’. When they read my name out I broke down and was really emotional. It blew me away – it was a moment I’ll never forget.”
A recovered addict himself, Paul piloted a scheme in Hyndburn with Lancashire Sport which enabled people with substance abuse problems and those ‘suffering in silence’ to get involved in sport, activity and the community.
He arranged a timetable with local gyms to get people back into sport and integrated in the community, as he did not consider there to be many other pathways to recovery outside of services like therapy and counselling.
Paul added: “I am a big believer in community.”
Within six months, Paul was helping 150 people with their recovery through the pilot scheme. It has also recently been given a grant from the National Lottery Fund.
All of Paul’s hard work was celebrated and acknowledged at the Sports Awards and he was incredibly moved by those who voted for him.
This year Paul, originally from Liverpool, has nominated someone he thinks deserves the honour, and encourages others to follow his lead. Nominations are now open and will close on June 20.
The categories recognise people across all aspects of sport in the borough, and winners will go through to compete for the Lancashire Sports Awards.
Categories include; Adult Volunteer of the Year, Coach of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Community Club of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Primary School of the Year, Secondary School of the Year, Inspire Award, Service to Disability Sport and Team of the Year.
Now entering its 12th year, this year’s Sports Awards event will take place on Friday, September 8 at Accrington Town Hall. To nominate visit www.hyndburnleisure.co.uk/sportsawards or visit Accrington Town Hall for a nomination form.
