Kidderminster Paralympian Claire Cashmore up for top award

Triathlete Claire Cashmore MBE has been shortlisted in two categories at Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions Awards.

The awards are set to be held at Porchester Hall in Bayswater, London, on Wednesday (October 30) and will be hosted by Great Britain's double world 110m hurdles champion and former world record holder Colin Jackson.

The sports star is shortlisted for Regional Champion of the Year and National Champion of the Year.

A six-time Paralympian, Cashmore's most recent achievement is winning silver in the women's PTS5 triathlon at Paris 2024, which takes her total number of Paralympic medals to 10.

Richard Bell, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: "We are really looking forward to celebrating the fantastic achievements of all the Sporting Champions athletes at Porchester Hall, including Claire Cashmore MBE.

"The scheme has been very successful in providing exceptional support to emerging talent and we are delighted to be showcasing this. It’s fantastic to see how the scheme has expanded over the years, now providing more than 1,400 athletes nationwide with access to top-quality training facilities and support. 

"As a leisure provider working in partnership with Stratford-on-Avon District Council, we feel it is important to cater for all sections of the community, and we hope to continue making a real difference to our athletes’ success."

Claire Cashmore receives silver medal at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games (Image: Everyone Active) Cashmore regularly trains at Shipston Leisure Centre in Shipston-on-Stour, which is run by Everyone Active in partnership with Stratford District Council.

Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme is a sports talent development programme which supports 1,400 athletes.

Now in its eighth year, the initiative has helped thousands of athletes to achieve their sporting potential by providing free access to Everyone Active’s leisure facilities nationwide.

Sporting Champions athletes won an incredible 23 medals at this year’s Olympics and Paralympics including nine gold, six silver and eight bronze with 14 athletes competing at their first Olympics or Paralympics in Paris.

Award winners will include those who have had career successes or who have engaged with the Sporting Champions scheme and their local Everyone Active centre.

Everyone Active will also celebrate those who have helped to inspire other up-and-coming sportsmen and women.

The awards ceremony will be preceded by a mentoring workshop led by Richard Kilty, Maisie Summers-Newton and Lauren Steadman. 

They will be joined by Olympians Lutalo Muhammad and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey to share their insights and experiences and help guide the Sporting Champions athletes in their own careers.

Councillor Lorraine Grocott, environmental and neighbourhood services portfolio holder, said: "As a District Council we are committed to supporting health and wellbeing in our community and celebrate the development of sporting talent in our District.

"These awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise the dedication and achievements of local sporting champions and we’re incredibly proud of Claire’s nomination in two categories." 

To find out more visit www.easportingchampions.com or following @easportingchamps on Instagram.