Paul Hayden Award for Significant Contribution to LR Leisure.

Nominated by: Local Committees, National Organisers and Participants.

Selected by: LR Leisure Principal Officers

An award for an individual who in the last 12 months has:

• Made a significant contribution to the national success of LR Leisure
• Made a significant contribution to a national LR Leisure event
• Made a significant contribution to organising and promoting national LR Leisure events
• Made significant improvement to LR Leisure through innovation

Introduced in 2019

It has often been said that like a stick of rock, LR Leisure runs right through Paul Hayden.

Paul has made a long-standing contribution to HMLR's sports and social association - LR Leisure - both locally and nationally for over four decades. He remains one of LR Leisure's Principal Officers, playing a fundamental role.

He contributes with a passion that is greatly valued by our members, as he continues to seek out new and improved ways to engage with them. With this passion comes an innovative approach, respecting traditions but also looking out for new ways to support the health and wellbeing of our people and with a keen eye on reaching out and engaging as many as we can through different offerings, all with a focus on inclusion and fun. He is hands-on, spending his own time in ensuring that events are delivered to the highest of quality.

He has been and continues to be a driving force in all that we do and does it with a smile on his face which remains infectious even after all of these years! It felt right and fitting that when we introduced this award that we named it after Paul.

Shortlisted nominees:

David Darlington (Swansea)

• Key organiser and host of LR Leisure's popular virtual Bingo event.
• Ran the Bingo event 3 times in the past year with about 100 participants each time.
• Manages event organisation, promotion, and distribution of bingo cards.
• Hosts sessions with engaging wit and strong audience interaction.
• Virtual format allows wider participation, especially for those unable to attend in-person events.
• Creates fun, inclusive experiences that leave attendees eager for more.

Michael Surtees (Durham)

• Played a key role in organising the 2025 Furneaux and coordinating 20+ Durham attendees.
• Liaised with the national organiser to select the golf course and arrange order of play.
• Recruited local volunteers to assist on event day, enabling smooth running and enjoyment for all.
• Created 'goody bags' for participants, including a memorial tribute.
• Hosted a whisky/port toast at the 9th tee in memory of deceased DM golf society members.
• Organised a memorial competition the day before, involving multiple offices and fostering camaraderie.
• Helped establish a new annual memorial tradition to enhance engagement and friendships.

*** WINNER 2025 - David Darlington (Swansea)***

Previous recipients of the Paul Hayden Award:

• 2024 - Donna Swarbrick (Fylde)
• 2023 - Annette Nuttall (Coventry)
• 2022 - Julia Watson (Weymouth)
• 2021 - Andy Kerslake (Plymouth)
• 2020 - Ryan Topping (Telford)
• 2019 - Hannah Bullimore (Telford)