GSF Cumbrian athletes celebrated
Celebrating Cumbria’s Sporting Talent at the GLL Sport Foundation Awards Evening
Penrith Leisure Centre was the venue for a fantastic evening celebrating the achievements of Cumbria’s rising and established sporting talent.
On Wednesday 5 August 2025, Penrith Leisure Centre hosted the joint Cumbria GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) Awards Evening, bringing together athletes, families, partners and supporters to celebrate the incredible achievements of local athletes.
The evening saw 51 of the 104 athletes supported by the GLL Sport Foundation in Cumbria come together, alongside more than 50 additional guests, creating a wonderful atmosphere of pride and celebration.
For 2026, the GLL Sport Foundation has invested £72,600 to support 104 athletes across Cumbria, helping talented sportspeople from across South Lakeland, Eden and Carlisle to continue pursuing their sporting ambitions.
The evening was hosted by Alison Westworth, Carlisle Partnership Manager, Worker Board Member and GSF Board Member. We were also delighted to welcome Tim Bestford, Head of Service for the North; Jeanie Pasley from Cumberland Council; Kelly Alty, Senior Manager for Outdoor and Leisure; and Richard Johnstone from Active Cumbria.
Kelly Alty and Tim Bestford helped present certificates and goody bags to the athletes, recognising their dedication and achievements. All of our guests commented afterwards on what an enjoyable and inspiring evening it had been.
A highlight of the evening was an inspirational talk from Anna Nicholson, a Gateshead GSF athlete originally from Carlisle who began her sporting journey at Penrith Leisure Centre and Sheepmount.
Anna is a two-time Paralympian and Paris 2024 bronze medallist, and she shared her personal sporting journey with the audience, offering encouragement and inspiration to the athletes in attendance.
Following her speech, Anna spent time speaking with athletes and answering questions. There was particular excitement at the opportunity to see her Paralympic bronze medal up close, with many athletes thrilled to hold and admire the medal.
A short athlete Q&A session also provided an opportunity to hear directly from four athletes about their experiences, achievements and journeys in sport:
Judy Pearson – Swimming: 200m World Masters Champion
Colin Hill – Open Water Swimming: Completed a solo English Channel swim in an incredible 10 hours 30 minutes
Tara Simpson-Sullivan – Athletics: Finished 9th in the Commonwealth Games Hammer
Thomas Bailey – GB Taekwondo: Representing Great Britain in Taekwondo
Each athlete shared an inspiring story, highlighting the hard work, commitment and determination required to reach the highest levels of sport.
The evening concluded with a huge sense of pride across the room as athletes collected their certificates and goody bags, celebrating not only their sporting achievements but also the support and investment that helps them to continue reaching their goals.
The GLL Sport Foundation is proud to support 104 talented athletes across Cumbria, and the awards evening was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate their successes and look ahead to what they can achieve next.