Pride of St Helens: Inspire Risk Management Mentor of the Year Award (From St Helens Star)

Pride of St Helens: Inspire Risk Management Mentor of the Year Award

11:00am Thursday 18th October 2012 in News

BOXING coach Dominic Hodnett felt just champion after being crowned Mentor of the Year at the Pride of St Helens Awards in Langtree Park.

Judges rewarded his dedication to the Wild Card ABC boxing gym based Derbyshire Hill Youth Club, where he trains youngsters from some of St Helens poorest communities.

He told the Star: “I feel fantastic. I was so nervous too - I think I know what my young boys and girls go through every time they are preparing to go into the ring.

“I just hope I have done them proud. I could not have done this without the help of every coach, who are all volunteers, and kid at the club.

“It is a tough area where we work. It doesn’t always get the best press but there are so many positives and so many good kids here that just need to be challenged whether it be through sport or something else.

Neil Reid the managing director of Inspire Risk Management said: “As a St Helens lad, originally from Haydock, it’s fantastic to see an event, for a great cause, showing appreciation to people of the town for their determination to stand above bigger cities and stand out from the crowd.”

Jane Cox, of St Helens YMCA Gymnastics club was highly commended along with Kerry Ward Smith, who co-founded Pinehirst, which works with offenders, homeless adults and disadvantaged young people.