Keith Walker – BBC Unsung Sporting Hero Award Finalist

20 / 12 / 2012

Keith Walker – BBC Unsung Sporting Hero Award Finalist

The spirit of volunteering in Sport was seen throughout 2012, with the Olympic and Paralympic Games bringing thousands of volunteer ‘Games Makers’ to the fore, while also highlighting the fantastic work done by other people around the country who generously give their time and effort. For Keith Walker, Building Surveyor Partner at Haslams, a fantastic sporting year was topped off when he was chosen as a finalist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero Award for his work in helping to rebuild the club facilities at Henley Canoe Club where he has been a member for some 25 years.

Keith has had a life long passion for canoeing and is a driving force behind Henley Canoe Club. He is both Chairman and a fully qualified coach. His professional expertise in building design and project management came to the fore when it was decided that the club needed new facilities.

The old club house, a temporary terrapin building erected in the early 1960s, was in poor condition and no longer met the requirements of the club, so a major fund raising exercise began in the late 1990’s to replace the club house building and improve the site. It took the club 15 years to raise the money but Keith’s expertise and with the support of Haslams he created just what they wanted.

Pete Holloway, Manager at the centre commented “Had we not had Keith helping with the project applying his expertise in designing the building, preparing the drawings, taking it to planning and project managing we would have struggled. He deserved to be nominated for this award.”

Keith said “When I heard about my nomination I thought ‘Why Me?’ I think there are many volunteers supporting clubs – but it is quite an honour.”

The new clubhouse at The Eyot Centre was opened in 2008 by HRH the Duke of Kent. It incorporates disability access to the waterfront, boat storage, changing rooms, a fitness room as well as a large multi use function room which is also used by local youth and community groups.

The BBC Sport Unsung Hero Award now in its 10th year, recognises those who go the extra mile to help out in local sport, with nominations coming entirely from members of the public. Fifteen Unsung Heroes were chosen by judging panels around the UK – before a panel of experts, including Paralympic gold-medallist Sarah Storey, met to decide an overall winner, and Keith was chosen as a finalist for the BBC South region.

Featuring YouTube Clip:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj4bO97ouRE


Tanya Le Sueur

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Tanya Le Sueur