Gym volunteer, 86, from Wirral nominated for Your Champions 2012 award

Sep 5 2012 by Linda Foo Guest, Heswall News

AN 86-YEAR-OLD volunteer has been nominated for a Your Champions 2012 award.

Sprightly Leslie Owens has been recognised for the good work he does in helping to run the Wallasey branch of Wirral Heartbeat.

He looks after a gym is for people who suffer from heart problems based at Wallasey fire station.

The pensioner initiated the opening of the gym in 1992 after hearing about one in Heswall.

He is also a trustee for Wirral Heartbeat.

Les was nominated for the champion volunteer category by gym user Peter Sleeman.

He said: “Les deserves the award because despite his age he voluntarily looks after the gym. Every day of the week he is there helping people.

“It is a much-needed resource and a social centre for people to come with heart problems.”

Les, from Wallasey, has suffered from five heart attacks and has a defibrillator fitted.

The gym is open from 8am until 12pm.

Les said: “I attend every morning to make sure the visitors are OK.

“I help run the place, give advice and show people how to use the machines.

“It opened in 1992 and I was the supervisor. Now I have retired from the role but help out.

“We look after people who have diabetes or heart problems and have been referred by St Catherine’s Hospital to continue exercising.

“We get between 20 and 40 people who come to use the equipment, mainly people over 50.

“We have 12 pieces of machinery – treadmills, exercise bike, stepper.

“I enjoy helping and the social side is great where people pop in and have a coffee and a chat.”

There are five award categories – champion of the year, champion volunteer, champion young person, champion team, and finally, sporting champion.

Finalists will be invited to a dinner at the Crowne Plaza, Chester, on Friday, November 9.

International snooker player Dennis Taylor will present the awards to 2012’s champions.

To nominate visit www.wirralnews.co.uk/ yourchampions2012 and fill out the form.

You can also fill in the form opposite and send it to Linda Foo Guest, Your Champions, Wirral News, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool L69 3EB.

The closing date is October 12, so put forward your hero now.