Rewarding unsung sporting heros with The Aviva Lap of Honour at elite athletics events

Published: 5:16PM GMT twenty-six Feb 2010

Previous of Images Next Kelly Southerton and Aviva Lap of Honor leader Norma Blaine Kelly Southerton and Aviva Lap of Honor leader Norma Blaine Norma Blaine with �1,000 esteem income coupon

This year for the initial time ever at their selected entertainment events Aviva has determined a prerogative intrigue to commend these people and prerogative them for their joining with the Aviva Lap of Honour.

As the series one unite of UK Athletics since 1999, Aviva recongises the significance of rewarding and celebrating achievements in sport. However for athletes to perform at their most appropriate the mostly people at the back of the scenes who assistance to have this happen. The Aviva Lap of Honour provides these unsung heroes with an tangible path of honour around the lane at prestigious Aviva entertainment events this year and as �1,000 esteem to be donated to a sporting means of their choice.

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The intrigue launched at the Aviva World Trials and UK Championships, that took place at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on thirteen and fourteen February. Aviva GB & NI group part of Emily Freeman was on palm to await the initial leader Sheila Bolland from Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire on her path of honour.

Freeman, the Yorkshire-born competitor who was a finalist in the 2009 World Championships 200m meters in Berlin said: "This was a shining experience for me and for Sheila. I think it is critical to have people similar to her around as it is good for the competition at a grassroots turn and it encourages some-more people to get involved."

Sheila who was comparison as the initial leader of the Aviva Lap of Honour for her twenty 6 years of loyalty said: "It was fantastic! I didnt think it would be anything similar to it has been. I assistance with organising teams, partisan officials for the meetings, and run the tuck emporium at the bar that has got a bit famous. I goal I can inspire the younger people to take part, meditative if Sheila can do it, so can I."

The second Aviva Lap of Honour took place at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham on twenty February. Aviva GB & NI group part of Kelly Sotherton, who claimed a bronze award in the heptathlon at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, was at the eventuality to benefaction Norma Blaine with �1,000 esteem income and to await her in this singular event to share a theatre with a little of the worlds excellent athletes.

Kelly commented "If it wasnt for people similar to Norma afterwards I wouldnt have got to where I am today. In each sport, everywhere there is someone similar to Norma and the good that the Aviva Lap of Honour is recognising these critical people"

Norma was selected as the leader of the Aviva Lap of Honour to commend her 60 years use coaching, mentoring and volunteering at the Birchfield Harriers Athletics Club. Commenting on the experience she pronounced "It was such an strenuous experience. I plan to outlay the income on people that unequivocally need it to assistance them grasp their most appropriate in athletics."

Heather Smith, Head of Sponsorship at Aviva: "We are unapproachable to the series one unite of UK Athletics since 1999 and by this sponsorship we have one after another to commend people and applaud their achievements. The Aviva Lap of Honour is all about putting the open at the heart of entertainment and what improved approach could there be than by giving people the event to be on the lane itself!"

Aviva is committed to building entertainment in this nation at each turn from the stadium to the podium. In 2010, Aviva will have hosted 6 world-class entertainment events on home soil, assisting and ancillary the Aviva GB & NI senior, youth and incapacity teams as they hope for for all vital events and championships. Through the Aviva UKA Academy, it is expected that by 2012, Aviva will have since each kid in the UK the event to get concerned in athletics.

There will be serve chances to win a Lap of Honour at Aviva events this summer:

25-27 June: Aviva European Trials & UK Championships, Birmingham

10 July: Aviva Grand Prix, Gateshead

To come in or commission an moving sporting individual, simply email a 150-word reason of because you, or they, merit to win, together with your name and write number, to lapofhonour@aviva.com

To find out some-more about Avivas sponsorship of athletics, revisit www.aviva.co.uk/athletics