High Sheriff Celebration of parkrun Award

On Sunday 7^th July the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Annie Brewster JP presented parkrun hero Brian Finnigan a Celebration of parkrun Award at the Stevenage Junior parkrun for outstanding contribution to the parkrun community. The rain held off allowing the High Sheriff to award some junior runners with their half marathon and marathon wrist bands as well as Brian.

Brian has been part of the core team at Stevenage Juniors since the first event in May 2017 and is also the Event Director at Letchworth parkrun and has volunteered an astonishing 508 times. He’s there almost every week including arriving early to set up the course and providing a very warm welcome to all. He’s always willing to help everyone with what they need, including sorting out the volunteer roster if that weeks Race Director is busy.

One of Brian’s fellow volunteers said ‘We are very lucky to have Brian as part of our event and are honoured that he is receiving this great recognition.‘

The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Annie Brewster JP said:

"In my year I’m making some special awards for those outstanding people who put so much into our sporting lives, they are the backbone of sport and physical activity. I was so pleased to be giving this award to Brian and I’d like to thank him for all his efforts across Stevenage Junior parkrun and Letchworth parkrun. Volunteers like Brian are so valuable to the sporting community in Hertfordshire and we are so lucky to have him!’

Recipient of the Award Brian Finnigan said:

‘Thank you all, this was a surprise! I just had a big celebration for my 500^th volunteering role so that has been more than enough celebrations so thank you again.’

If you’re looking for a fun and friendly volunteering oppprtunity, then look no further than your local parkrun events. There are lots of ways to be involved. parkrun is a free, community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. parkrun is 5k and takes place every Saturday morning. Junior parkrun is 2k, dedicated to 4-14 year olds and their families, every Sunday morning. Head to the parkrun website to find your local event www.parkrun.org.uk

The Herts Sport and Activity Partnership are excited for the year ahead where they will be recognising lots more local volunteers celebrating their continued hard work to help get more people, more active, more often.