A gold medal winning Paralympian paid tribute to a community group as they were honoured for their work making life easier for wheelchair users.
Stephen Miller MBE, who won gold in the club throw at the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Paralympic Games, is the President of Beach Access North East and expressed his delight as they were awarded the prestigious Whitley Bay Town Cup.
North Tyneside Council awards the Whitley Bay Town Cup to an organisation or individual of the town who has brought about an outstanding event in the last year or has been of outstanding service to the community.
This year’s winner was awarded the cup in recognition of the fantastic work that the group does in allowing wheelchair users to access the beach and the benefits that this brings to individuals and their families.
Registered as a charity in 2017, Beach Access North East aims to promote inclusion, independence and choice for disabled people in the region.
The trophy was presented to the group at a meeting of Full Council, on Thursday, January 16.
Chair of North Tyneside Council, Wendy Lott, who presented the cup, said: “I’m extremely proud to have been able to present this award to Beach Access North East.
“The group takes such pride in their local community and the work they do is vital to so many people in our borough.
“I’d like to say a huge congratulations to everyone involved with the group. From top to bottom they do a fantastic job and I look forward to seeing them continue their growth.”
Receiving the award, Stephen said: “I just want to say thank you for this award, I’ve had the pleasure of being the President of this charity for a couple of years now and the work they do is amazing.
“We’ve seen the difference it makes to people’s lives to be able to get on the beach with their families and it really makes people feel like they’re included when you can get next to the sea in a wheelchair.
“It really does break down so many barriers and can its really great for inclusion on a lot of levels, so I really want to say well done to the charity, I’m really proud to be the president and keep up the great work.”
Previous winners of the cup, which dates back to 1954, include the Whitley Bay Sporting Club, The Jam Jar Cinema, Angels of the North and The Bay Foodbank.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The history of the cup goes back to 1954 when it was introduced by the former Whitley Bay Council. It was donated to North Tyneside Council in its formation in 1974.
Only individuals or an organisation from the former borough of Whitley Bay can be considered for the award.
