Harpers Fitness celebrate inaugural Harpers Heroes Awards success

Harpers Fitness has successfully hosted its first ever member and customer awards, which recognised and celebrated the success stories and achievements of you – our valued members and customers.

The 2009 awards featured five categories – Health, Shape, Fitness, Family and Community Spirit and finalists were chosen out of the hundreds and hundreds of entrants. The winners were announced in October at a glitzy black tie ball at the prestigious Bisham Abbey.

As well as the individual category winners there was one overall Harpers Hero who won £3,000 and a lifelong Harpers Fitness membership – this was Ann Smith from Harpers Fitness in Spalding.

Victoria Branch, Marketing Manager for Harpers Fitness said: “We are very proud of our members and users for the hard work they put in to leading a more active and healthy lifestyle and we thought it was about time their efforts were recognised and celebrated. The event was a huge success and a true celebration of the achievement of our customers and members. We are already planning the 2010 event, which promises to be even bigger and better so watch this space for more information.”

Richard Callender from ITV’s Britain’s Biggest Loser gave an inspiring speech about how he overcame personal issues but stayed motivated and committed.


Shape - This award recognises someone who has worked hard to lose weight. We know losing weight isn’t easy – it requires dedication and commitment but it’s well worth it when you achieve your target.

Winner – Katie Laverick from Peterlee Leisure Centre in Peterlee

Runners up – Alex Jackson from Riverside Leisure Centre, Morpetand Wendy Dabinett from Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre



Health - This award recognises someone who has adopted physical activity to help with a health issue. Exercise isn’t just beneficial for weight management – it can assist and aid other conditions and problems.

Winner – Ann Smith from Castle Sports Centre in Spalding

Runners up – Will Vye from Lord Butler Fitness & Leisure Centre and Tanya Brealey from Loddon Valley Leisure



Fitness - This award recognises someone who has improved their levels of fitness or pushed their levels of fitness to the max in a bid to achieve something remarkable.

Winner – Nicholas Sharp from Mountfitchet Romeera Leisure Centre
Runners up – Soraya Wasinus from fitness Riverside in Norwich and Tom Ward from Mountfitchet Romeera Leisure Centre


Family - They say families who play together stay together and we know how important it is to ensure that the whole family participates in regular physical activity. This award recognises our fittest and most active families.

Winner – Sue and Byron Harvey from Stoke Mandeville Stadium

Runners up – The Best Family from Wyboston Health and Fitness and Crawford Family from Lord Butler Fitness & Leisure Centre



Community Spirit - This award will recognise someone who has a positive impact on others. We know there are hundreds of people who not only work in our centres but who volunteer and who go out of their way to help and support others and we think it’s about time they were celebrated. We want to hear about those special people.

Winner – Sudhir Misra from Harrow Leisure Centre
Runners up – Denis Taylor from Dorking Sports Centre and Richard Shervington from Mountfitchet Romeera Leisure Centre