Mike Garwood Award for Most Outstanding Committee Member.

Nominated by: Our people

Selected by: LR Leisure Principal Officers

An award for someone who in the last 12 months

• Is innovative and has ideas for new/different local events
• Organises and supports local events
• Encourages members to participate in local and national LR Leisure events
• Actively promotes the benefits of LR Leisure both local and national

Introduced in 2015

Mike Garwood was a real gentle giant - likened to the honey monster. He just smiled all the time and laughed.

Mike was Chair of the Sports Council for many years. The role was made for him as he was a highly regarded lawyer who eventually held the role of head of contentious business dealing with all of the big law cases the department had - probably with a smile.

He started his career at Nottingham - a lifetime Notts County supporter from where he headed to Head Office in Lincolns Inn via Harrow

He ended his career in Birkenhead living in beautiful Chester, which is sadly where he passed away.

His partnership with Mike Crawshaw (the Mikes) was instrumental in defining and paving the way to where we are today.

Shortlisted nominees:

Ali Brown (Plymouth):

• Longstanding member and Secretary of Plymouth LR Leisure Committee, managing minutes, agendas, and weekly member updates.
• Organises a wide variety of local activities and events consistently every year since Nov 2024, including:
• Workshops (watercolour, fused glass, mosaic, art)
• Tastings (rum, beer, wine, gin)
• Seasonal events (Christmas party, market, children's party)
• Unique experiences (Segway adventure, Drakes Island tour, lambing live).
• Known for her dedication, welcoming nature, and being first to arrive and last to leave at events.
• Continuously supports and enriches the community's leisure offerings year after year.

Andrea Soper (Plymouth):

• Longtime Treasurer for LR Leisure Plymouth, expertly managing a busy local bank account and significant CSSC budget funds.
• Provides excellent financial service for local and national LR Leisure activities, supporting both committee and members.
• Organises the largest annual trip, a popular long weekend coach trip to France every October, handling all logistics.
• Key driver behind the monthly Fancy Bloomers flower arranging club, arranging florist visits and hands-on sessions.
• Actively supports committee members with advice and encouragement for their events and new activities.
• Highly valued and appreciated asset to LR Leisure Plymouth.

Klaire Bowers (Gloucester):

• Treasurer for GL LR Leisure Committee, demonstrating commitment, integrity, and professionalism in managing accounts.
• Actively involved in almost every local event, engaging with a wide range of staff—new starters, established employees, various teams, and locations.
• Passionate advocate for promoting all LR Leisure activities, whether organising or supporting.
• Champions inclusivity during remote and hybrid working, helping rebuild connections and a sense of community.
• Encourages participation with a positive, supportive approach, never pushy.
• Known for being fun and approachable, making her a perfect fit for her role.

*** WINNER 2025 - Ali Brown (Plymouth)***

Previous recipients of the Mike Garwood Award:

• 2024 - Megan McAllister (Birkenhead)
• 2023 - Donna Swarbrick (Fylde)
• 2022 - Helen Jackson (Plymouth)
• 2021 - Hollie Fuszard (Gloucester) and Mark Harvey (Peterborough)
• 2020 - Paul Caston (Peterborough)
• 2019 - Kelly Browne (Weymouth)