Release date: 12.03.08
Ref: BBC/PR/R&D/03/08

Jo Curtis, Berwick’s Motivate Disability Sports Officer this week stepped into the limelight when she was a close runner up in the Shine Awards, which were announced on 6 March.

Jo was nominated in the Unsung Hero award category for her work providing older and disabled people with the opportunity to participate in a range of sports which younger and able bodied people take for granted.

On the night Jo was highly commended for the work she undertakes. She said:
“I was delighted to be nominated for a Shine award and touched that my colleagues and the local people who take part in the Motivate Project have seen fit to put the project forward for this award. I hope, because I received the highly commended award, that this will raise awareness of the project and encourage more people whatever their age or ability to participate in physical and sporting activities.”

Jo’s Manager, Head of Regeneration at the Council Tim Kirton said:
“We are all tremendously proud of Jo. She works tirelessly to ensure that people of all abilities can take part in sport. She’s taught two 80 year old ladies to swim for the first time and has set up a wide range of sporting activities including outdoor and indoor bowling, archery, chair exercises and New Age Kurling. This is testament to the hard work and dedication she puts into her work and this award is a fitting way to recognise her achievements.”