REDDITCH Stars really are the stars after the running club was named West England Athletics’ Regional Volunteer Award winners for the West Midlands.
And Mark Stars who started the club seven years ago for couch to 5k runners admits he had ‘a little dust’ in his eye when the news came through on Monday evening, November 22.
“I felt just to get nominated was a real achievement but for them to choose our little club, well, I’m still gobsmacked,” he said.
“When we started the intention was purely for a Sunday morning jog and then it was the members asking, ‘can we do this’ and ‘can we do that’ and it’s grown from there.”
Now the club has some 240 active members and runs 15 sessions across the week and caters for age groups from six upwards.
“With the kids we have them running and jumping and throwing as well,” said Mark.
“As a running club I think everyone just sort of gels – it’s a bit of a cliche but it’s more like a family, everyone supports each other.”
And as a family the club is standing together in memory of John O’Brien, a keen member who collapsed and died two weeks ago.
Mark said: “We have nurses in our club but despite all their efforts and those of the staff at the Alex he passed away.
“So we are dedicating this award to John, because he embodied what being a member of Stars is all about.”
The England Athletics citation reads: ‘During lockdown, Redditch Stars went above and beyond to ensure their members stayed in touch, kept training and maintained good mental health as well as their physical fitness.
‘The club held its AGM via Zoom, so members could attend, and the club set fees as low as possible, so it was accessible to all, especially families and those who had lost their jobs due to the pandemic.’
It added: ‘Showing real care and foresight, the club also trained a team of mental health first aiders, ready to help when the pandemic was over.
‘As a result, the club has been able to not only maintain its membership numbers, but also grow them, ready for the future.’
For more on Redditch Stars, visit them at www.redditchstars.co.uk, find them on social media or just pop down to the Abbey Stadium.
