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Inspirational Ian is named the Local Hero of 2005
INSPIRATIONAL Ian Berry was last night crowned the Local Hero of 2005. Retired college lecturer Ian, 69, won the most prestigious honour of the night at the npower Local Heroes Awards 2005 at Hardwick Hall Hotel, near Sedgefield. He was chosen from an outstanding list of category winners for taking his dedication over 25 years to establishing junior volleyball in the region. When Ian, who lives at Hutton Bonville, near Northallerton, began his quest, volleyball had hardly any profile at all in North-East schools. But his commitment to coaching, promoting, refereeing, encouraging and administering the sport has paid huge dividends. The judges' citation said: "It is no exaggeration to say that Ian is responsible for almost singlehandedly transforming the profile of volleyball in the North-East." The awards, which are in their sixth year, were watched by around 700 guests in a specially-erected marquee. Celebrities in attendance included Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren, Darlington manager David Hodgson and Hartlepool boss Martin Scott. They were joined by North-East boxing hero Glenn McCrory, and Durham Cricket Club coach Martyn Moxon, as well as Ashes star Gary Pratt and bowler of the year Mark Davies. The Editor of the Northern Echo, Peter Barron, who compered the event, said: "It was an incredibly hard job to select an overall winner from a very strong field." David Kelly, the managing director of Newsquest (North East), the publishers of The Northern Echo, presented a cheque for £5,000 to Sports Aid Northern. The money was raised by the in-paper auction and last night's raffle and it will go directly to young sportsmen and women in the North-East.
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