Awards Chairman, Peter McCormick OBE with George Stocker
Heptathlete Jessica Ennis and triathlete Alistair Brownlee were winners of the Achievement in Sport Award in 2009 and 2010 respectively, while rower Andrew Triggs-Hodge was Personality of the Year in 2008.
Awards Chairman Peter McCormick OBE, of McCormicks Solicitors of Harrogate, said: “It was fantastic to see so much success by Yorkshire athletes and, naturally, we are delighted that three of our previous winners have recognised their potential at the supreme level!”
The Awards Olympic connections did not stop there, with three previous winners taking part in the Torch relay and others starring in the closing ceremony and presenting the BBC’s Olympic coverage.
Nominations are open for the 2012 Awards which take place on Thursday 29 November at the Leeds United Centenary Pavilion. The Awards, which celebrate their 20th anniversary this year, recognise outstanding young people in the region aged under 35 who have made an impact, whether nationally, regionally or locally. To date they have raised more than £900,000 for youngsters in Yorkshire. They are organised by the Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation which supports projects for young people across the region.
The Awards are open to young people who live, work or were born in Yorkshire and celebrate achievements in the fields of business, sport, education and the arts, in overcoming adversity and achieving fame and fortune. Those with a lower profile have been brought into the limelight thanks to the Unsung Hero award, while there is always a Youngster of the Year to celebrate the achievement of a child under 12.
Nomination forms are available on the Awards website at www.yorkshireyoungachievers.co.uk or by ringing Sonia Jones at McCormicks Solicitors on 01423 530630. The closing date for entries is 28 September.
In addition to the three gold medals, three former winners were Olympic Torchbearers in the run-up to the event. Thirteen-year-old George Stocker carried the flame through Wetherby, Jack Marshall, also 13, carried the torch in Doncaster and Jono Lancaster, last year’s Unsung Hero, did the honours in Wakefield.
Previous winners Mel B (1997 Personality of the Year) and the Kaiser Chiefs (2005 Achievements in the Arts) starred in the Olympic closing ceremony on Sunday, while 2000 Personality of the Year Gabby Logan (then Yorath) presented the daily Olympics Tonight round-up for the BBC.
The spotlight is now on 2008 Achievement in Sport winner David Stone, who is looking to add to the two golds he won at the 2008 Paralympics in London at the end of the month.
Peter McCormick said: “David was another fantastic winner and we wish him every success as he bids to win gold again.”