Inspire Risk management Mentor Award: the nominees (From St Helens Star)

Inspire Risk management Mentor Award: the nominees

11:19am Thursday 20th September 2012 in News

Here are the nominees for the Inspire Risk management Mentor Award.

Jane Cox

For more than 35 years Jane Cox has been at the heart of gymnastics in the town, coaching and inspiring girls and boys from the age of four and older. The elite girls squad won St Helens Got Talent 2012, thanks to an outstanding routine put together by Jane herself. Parents say she ensures the club is like "one big family" and praise her desire is to see children’s talent flourish.

Dominic Hodnett

Head coach Dominic is a driving force for plenty of youngsters at the Wild Card amateur boxing club which is based at the Derbyshire Hill Youth Club. The 41-year-old from Parr is said to be a terrific role model for youngsters in one of the borough’s poorest communities and is credited with getting children to channel their energies into sport. Dominic’s nomination highlighted a project called Punchline, which has seen St Helens Council Arts link up with Re:new Parr to get young boxers into dance, music and video to produce work that is being showcased as part of the Cultural Olympiad.

Kerry Ward Smith

Three years ago Kerry co-founded Pinehirst, which works with offenders, homeless adults and disadvantaged young people. The goal is to help people put lives of crime or homelessness behind them to settle back into the communities and make a positive contribution. Mother-of-two Kerry, aged 32 and from Haydock, has helped steer 360 clients away from reoffending. The project has helped 55 people move on into own homes and 45 enter new jobs.