Local sporting hero wins £10,000 from SPAR’s People Podium

By James Hall & Co. Ltd

28 Oct 2019

Lawrence Howard, founder of Lancashire’s first all-inclusive rugby team, has been recognised as an unsung sporting hero through a national community campaign run by the UK’s leading convenience chain, SPAR.

Now in its second year, SPAR’s People’s Podium received over 4,000 nominations from across the UK, in a campaign designed to support and celebrate community sport, awarding one grand prize of £10,000 and four runners up prizes of £2,000.

Lawrence, who lives in Preston, set up Typhoons RUFC in 2018 with the aim of creating an adult rugby team that was all-inclusive, regardless of age, sex, gender identity, race, creed, disability or sexuality.

Nominated by team member, Kris Midgley, Lawrence had no idea that he had been selected as a finalist and was surprised by TV presenter Andi Peters and representatives from SPAR on Friday 11th October at Preston Grasshoppers RFU.

Andi presented a flabbergasted Lawrence with a cheque for £10,000, celebrating his fantastic contribution to community sport alongside delighted team members.

Lawrence said: “It’s become obvious that inclusive clubs can be in every community and not limited to big cities. What we’ve seen tonight is a perfect example of how an inclusive rugby club can inspire people from all backgrounds to take up the game.

“It’s such an honour to even be nominated, just to know you’ve had an impact on someone’s life. This money will go towards helping us grow the club, providing funds for training equipment and travel to tournaments.”

In only 18 months, Typhoons RUFC has become one of the fastest growing adult clubs in the North West and in May 2019, the club’s committee was recognised by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) for their outstanding contribution to volunteering within the community.

Now with official RFU accreditation and over 60 members, Typhoons RUFC provides a safe, supportive and community focused environment. The club regularly supports community events such as local festivals and Pride events, and members have even pulled a fire engine across Blackpool Promenade to raise money for the Fire Fighters’ Benevolent Fund.

Louise Hoste, SPAR UK managing director added her congratulations and said: “Well done to Lawrence and all of our runners up. They epitomise the type of individuals we look to recognise with this award and they deserve to be celebrated. As a local convenience store business we are proud to be able to reward grassroots sporting heroes where our SPAR stores are situated. We would also like to thank everyone for their nominations. This year’s campaign was an outstanding success; with a record number of contenders.”

Four additional regional runners up were chosen and surprised at their local clubs. Each received the sum of £2,000 and include:

Ross Broadbent – Blacon Boxing Club (Blacon, Chester) Patricia Sutherland – Highland District Netball (Dingwall, Scotland) Rana O’Brien – Rana’s School of Ballet (Belfast, Northern Ireland) Maddy Doyle – Unity Through Basketball (Plymouth)

The People’s Podium campaign demonstrates SPAR’s local community credentials and its commitment to always be there for local people and their communities.

Latest news

1

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin