CTC honours volunteer cycle army

National cyclists organisation the CTC honoured its volunteer army during a prize giving session during its National Dinner in Weymouth.

Special guest and UK youth professional cycling team principal Magnus Backstedt presented the prizes.

Kevin Hickman was crowned CTC Volunteer of the Year in recognition of his work to create a cycle community for people with disabilities. He works with county, town and district councils to improve cycle conditions locally in Witney and West Oxon.
Hickman is part of the CTC’s Inclusive Cycling Forum representing disabled cyclists, working to get cycle recognised as mobility aids.

He said: “It suits me best to work quietly in the background when I can, but it’s very satisfying to know people think I’m doing the right things.”

Kamila Szewczyk received the Young Volunteer of the Year Award for encouraging teenage girls and women to cycle.

Twelve year old Szewczyk’s voluntary work includes recruiting year 7 pupils to cycle, attending school assemblies to talk about the cycle club, attending parents evenings and helping to maintain the school’s fleet of bikes.

She said: “I was so excited to be chosen as the Young Volunteer of the Year at the CTC’s national awards on May 14th. Over the last few years I have developed from a leisure cyclist to a racer and have got involved with helping at a variety of school and community events.”

David Cox, chair of CTC Council, enthused: “It’s an honour to recognise the tireless work these award winning individuals undertake throughout the year, year on year, because they care about their local communities and they care about cycling. It is on nights like Saturday that we recognise the amazing people doing amazing things in local communities across the UK.”