Saracens Sports Foundation director crowned community hero (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

St Albans charity leader crowned community hero

2:11pm Monday 26th April 2010 in News By Manisha Mistry

DEDICATED charity volunteers have been praised by their leader who has been crowned this month's local hero.

Gordon Banks, community director at the Saracens Sports Foundation, is the latest winner of our Community Gold Award – a scheme which is run in conjunction with solicitors Debenhams Ottaway.

Although the 37-year-old's individual efforts were highlighted in his nomination, Gordon says the hard work and determination of everyone at the charity has made it move from strength to strength.

Commenting on the award, Gordon told the Review: “It's fantastic to win but it's very much a team effort.

“I think it's a great recognition for how far the Saracens Sports Foundation as a charity has come over the ten years that we have been operating.

“It's all down to the contribution of everybody involved with the charity including the staff and the players themselves.”

Gordon thanked everybody who has supported the foundation and highlighted the importance of teamwork.

The leader was nominated by Lisa Bates from the St Albans Chamber of Commerce who was particularly impressed with the charity's involvement with deprived towns and villages in Africa.

The St Albans-based foundation works with disadvantaged children, helping them to overcome a history of poor education or social inclusion.

It uses sport to help the children express skills they have not been able to put to use and Gordon, who lives in Flamstead, said his passion for sport and its impact on people's lives is the reason he loves his job.

Do you know an individual, business or charity who makes a difference in the community? Why not nominate them for a Community Gold Award.

You can enter by emailing your hero’s name and any relevant contact details to revieweditor@london.newsquest.co.uk catchlining your email hero.

You can also enter by text or by phone.

Send your text to 80360. Start your text with the word hero, leave a space and then enter the name and contact details of your unsung hero. Please also include your name and a contact number so we can get in touch with you in the event we are unable to contact your nominated person.

To nominate by phone, simply call 09012 210048 and leave the details of your unsung hero when prompted.

Calls cost no more than 25p per call from a BT landline. Calls from mobiles and some other networks may cost more. Texts cost 25p plus your normal operator text charge. Telephone and text voting lines open 08/02/2010 and close 15/12/2010 at 23:59PM. For full terms visit http://www.newsquest.co.uk/terms. Service Provided by Newsquest Media Group.