The extraordinary achievements of children and young people who have been working with the Northampton Saints Foundation were recognised at a special awards evening.
Held at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, the event was attended by 120 guests, including children and young people from the Foundation’s education and social inclusion programmes, trustees, supporters, donors and fundraisers, parents and guardians.
The Northampton Saints Foundation was founded in 2017 using sporting values to inspire, educate and support children and young people as they build positive futures for themselves.
Chief Executive of the Northampton Saints Foundation, Catherine Deans said: “The awards ceremony was all about our remarkable young people, recognising their achievements and just how far they have come – we are so proud of each and every one of them.
“It was also an opportunity to thank our supporters and our volunteers who have done so much to support our work throughout the past year.”
Among those students who were recognised at the event was Domi Szablinska, who joined the Foundation’s Engage + programme, which is run in partnership with Northampton College, earlier this year. She received the Foundation Values Award.
She said: “At the beginning of the academic year I went to college, and it wasn’t working for me. But I came to the Northampton Saints Foundation, and everything has been better. I am so grateful for all the opportunities I have been given and everything the team has done for me. I wish that more young people could get involved with the Foundation so they could experience the same things that I have.”
Sidney, who also won a Foundation Values Award through his work with the Engage programme, said: “I am really happy to receive this award. The Northampton Saints Foundation has really helped me to develop my confidence and I’ve had a blast in Engage.”
A special contribution award was presented to Marcel Binley of The Roastery, a coffee company based in Wellingborough, which has supported The Foundation by offering work experience placements to its students, barista qualifications and has raised money for the Foundation through the development of a bespoke coffee blend called Marching In.
Accepting the award, he said: “Just having the opportunity to work with these students gives us so much joy. Watching them grow and learn about coffee has been a huge privilege. We will keep on doing everything we can.”
A total of 14 awards were given out during the evening, which was hosted by BBC Radio Northampton’s sports editor and Saints’ historian, Graham McKechnie.
For more information about the Northampton Saints Foundation and the work they do to support children and young people, visit their website at www.northamptonsaintsfoundation.org
Photography
Domi Szablinska receives her Foundation Values award from the Foundation’s Employability Lead, Craig Philips and ambassador, former Saints player, Tom Wood.
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About the Northampton Saints Foundation
The Northampton Saints Foundation was founded in 2017 to help give children and young people the help and support they need to build a positive future.
Inspired by the history of the Northampton Saints, the Foundation uses sporting values to inspire, support and educate young people through social inclusion and education programmes. In the past year, more than 5,000 children have taken part in education programmes delivered by the Foundation in schools.
You can learn more about the Foundation’s work at www.northamptonsaintsfoundation.org or on Twitter by following @SaintsFdation.