THE official charity of Carlisle United has been celebrated at an awards evening in the city.
The Carlisle United Community Sports Trust (CST) Awards took place on Friday, February 27 at The Halston in Carlisle.
The evening was attended by notable guests such as Carlisle’s Labour MP Julie Minns, Cumberland Council leader Mark Fryer, and Carlisle United chief executive Nigel Clibbens.
Representatives from the CST’s business partners, including Pirelli, West Silloth Motors, Komatsu, and Borderway Finance, were also in attendance.
At the beginning of the awards ceremony, Carlisle United Community Sports Trust’s chief executive officer James Tose addressed the attendees and outlined the club’s charity’s mission statement.
He said: “I think everyone would agree that Carlisle United is the heartbeat of this city and when does the team does well, the city does well and there is buzz.
“I often say that was Carlisle United got promoted in the 2022/23 season it lifted the area out of the doom and gloom of Covid and back to normality with positivity and hope. That is the power of a football club.
“With that power, there comes a level of responsibility, a responsibility to look after those who support it, and a responsibility to look after the area it is located in and that is where our fantastic charity steps in.
“We do this by inspiring people to participate, by helping people develop and achieve their goals and we do it by using the power of the club’s badge as a vehicle to break down barriers, create safe spaces, and create opportunities for people to thrive.”
Eight awards were handed out at the ceremony in recognition of excelling students, emerging footballers, and dedicated volunteers as well as a showpiece accolade, The Community Hero Award, which was given to someone whose ‘dedication, compassion, and commitment have had a lasting impact on the lives of others’.
John Halpin and Carlisle United Community Sports Trust CEO James Tose (Image: Barbara Abbott)
This title was awarded to former Carlisle United player and community manager John Halpin.
“What a pleasure to be recognised tonight,” John said, speaking to the News & Star.
“It’s not just about me, it is about the whole community and the whole club.
“It shows what can be done, and the sort of reach Carlisle United can have when everyone pulls together.”
Keith Richardson, chair of the Carlisle and Stanwix branch of The Royal British Legion, was announced as the recipient of the Community Impact Award and when receiving the accolade gave a moving speech about the importance of remembrance.
He said: “It is a great honour to be receiving this award on behalf of veterans who are making the most of the community.
“I lost my wife around five years ago and got into The Royal British Legion through my daughter-in-law and then found out about the Carlisle United Veteran’s Group and I just wanted to be among my people.”
The Volunteer of the Year Award that celebrated the ‘commitment and dedication’ of one of the CST’s volunteers went to Charlotte Crosbie.
She said: “If I’m honest, it’s more than being nominated ‘Volunteers of the Year’. I am part of a big group of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion volunteers, I am one of many and they are all amazing.
John Halpin (centre) with Callum Logan (right) and Marcus Tiffin-Farrah (left) (Image: Barbara Abbott)
“I am really passionate about making sure that people feel included in the community that we live in no matter their background.
At the event, Chloe Brown was also named Girls Emerging Talent Centre Player of the Season, with this award recognising her ‘high achievement’ on the CST’s development programme.
“I am buzzing, I didn’t think that I would win the award,” She said, speaking to the News & Star.
“I just want to say thank you to the coaches that have put me forward for the award.”
Alongside John, Keith, Chloe, and Charlotte, four more individuals were recognised by the Carlisle United Community Sports Trust.
The Harry Armstrong Award which recognised a student who had ‘excelled’ on one of the CST’s two university degree programmes, that are delivered in partnership with the EFL and University of South Wales, went to Callum Logan.
The Football For All Award which recognised a ‘core member’ of the CST’s PAN Disability football group went to Marcus Tiffin-Farrah and Joan Short was the recipient of the The Inclusion Award.
Finally, Rio Hayhurst was announced as the winner of the Football Development Scholarship Student of the Year award.
