Honouring our sporting heroes

ROCHDALE’S sporting and cultural heroes were celebrated at an annual awards ceremony.

Volunteers, sports clubs and schools were among the winners at the Rochdale Borough Sports and Culture Awards held at Middleton Arena.

The Mayor Ian Duckworth gave the opening speech, forming an unlikely double act with the evening’s compere, Rochdale actress Sue Devaney.

In her inimitable style Sue emphasised again and again just how proud she was of her home-town and the amazing amount of great work done by so many unsung heroes. Guests were also treated to live performances by football freestyler Roman Brezovskis, M6 Youth Theatre, Sue Devaney and Robyn Chicot.

Blind footballer Azeem Amir, who went on to win the Sports Achiever of the Year award, also gave an inspiring talk and a rousing finale was performed by Wardle Academy Youth Brass Band.

The event was organised by Link4LIfe.

Shine Youth Theatre (M6 Theatre and Barnardos) won the Community and Education Project Award

The School Commitment to Arts, Heritage and Culture Award was claimed by Wardle Academy

Changing Lifestyles Recognition of the Year award went to Catherine Szymanskyi

Stuart Bloor won the Disabled Sports Achiever of the Year Award

North East Manchester Hawks Handball Club are Club of the Year

Mark Betteridge collected the Artist of the Year Award

Blind footballer Azeem Azir is Sports Achiever of the Year