Sean Coxhead Inspiring Individual Award 2024
Find out who topped the list of deserving GoodGymers to claim the award this year
December 20, 2024
The winner of the 2024 Sean Coxhead Inspiring Individual award is Anne Fauconnier-Bank from GoodGym Woking.
The Inspiring Individual Award
The Sean Coxhead Inspiring Individual award is given annually, and recognises one GoodGymer who has shown remarkable dedication, kindness or effort. The award is in celebration of Sean Coxhead, a GoodGymer in York who sadly passed away following a diagnosis of bladder cancer. Sean inspired all of us with his outstanding courage, determination and commitment to GoodGym and his community. You can read all about the award and what it means to us at GoodGym in this story.
The Judging
Nominations are made by the GoodGym community with the final decision being made by three amazing people with a connection to GoodGym's mission:
Tasha Thompson is the founder of Black Girls Do Run UK. A keen runner for years, Tasha was inspired to start BGDRUK after noticing the disparity in representation between high numbers of elite black women in races, yet regular black women runners were often absent from the races she attended. BGDRUK is dedicated to challenging the misconception that black women do not run by encouraging and inspiring more to run and increasing their visibility on social media.
Darren Evans is Director of the Green Runners, a community and running club passionate about sustainability. Darren is also a Running Coach and founder of Pair Ups, a company which sells repair kits for trainers enabling people to extend the life of their shoes and reduce waste.
Louise Cheong is a GoodGymer from York who has completed over 800 good deeds. In 2023 Louise was awarded the Sean Coxhead Inspiring Individual award for her outstanding contribution to the GoodGym community. It’s a tradition we have last years winner be part of the judging panel the following year.
Anne was chosen because of her outstanding contribution to the GoodGym community and beyond, with the award judged on four criteria:
- Impact: how great their impact has been
- Dedication: the dedication they have demonstrated and how they've gone above and beyond expectations as a GoodGym community member
- Overcoming adversity: their ability to show resilience and strength whilst supporting others
- Kindness: how they've demonstrated kindness and extra effort
Anne's Impact
Anne has had a huge impact on the community in Woking, and especially in GoodGym. She is at every session, she is TaskForce, and a fitness leader - Anne has kept Woking GoodGym alive with weekly sessions. Now in her 70’s, Anne got into running after losing her husband. Since then she’s managed to inspire countless GoodGymers and beyond with her commitment to keeping herself, and others fit.
This year, Anne has achieved an incredible:
- 54 group sessions to support charities and community projects
- Ran over 1400 km, including a marathon
“Anne shows extraordinary kindness and effort everyday. For example, when I was training for a marathon she offered to run with me. When I joined GoodGym I was nervous meeting new people and was worried my running was not fast enough, so she ran with me. After a good deed she will run with me home so I am not alone. These are just the ways she has helped me. Everyone in Woking GoodGym has the same story to tell, as well as the wider community due to all the volunteering she does like street angels, junior parkrun and Surrey half.”
From Anne
Upon hearing that she had won, Anne said: “I still think that it is a dream! How could "little old me" be worthy of such an award!”
She continues “GoodGym Woking has been “good” to me ever since joining their first session in October 2016! I had recently been widowed, retired and had moved to a new area. GoodGym helped me transition in all the “new” experiences. I found a group of like-minded people who love doing good deeds for the community and enjoy running whatever the weather.
I am honoured and humbled to accept this award, as I am sure a lot of people deserve it more than me. But I want to share it with the whole GoodGym Woking crew: we work as a team. As TaskForce we find it rewarding to all contribute to the planning, leading and feedback of each mission/task. We support each other, as you do when you are part of a family, especially the GoodGym family.
I am grateful to have been selected for the award and delighted to share it with the whole of GoodGym Woking, past and new members alike. Without them, I would not be where I am today and neither would GoodGym Woking. Thank you, merci beaucoup!”
From the judges
Darren from Green Runners said “All nominees were amazing and had made a real impact in their local communities. Well done to Anne for truly an outstanding GoodGym achievement”.
Tasha Thompson from Black Girls Do Run UK added, "it was an honour to be asked to be one of the judges for the GoodGym Sean Coxhead Inspiring Individual Award. It was a tough choice as all the nominees had accomplished incredible good deeds, but Anne’s profound impact on GoodGym Woking and the people within it made our decision clear”.
Ready for the January Challenge? Find a session