Our Community Ambassadors Stories

Kevin Frisby

I am ex RAF and kept myself fit with a healthy lifestyle, running 3-4 times a week and weight training. I also have a family history of high cholesterol which eventually blocked my arteries. On the 16th Aug I ran 10 miles in my quickest time ever, 24 hours later I was at Castle Hill having a cardio angioplasty (stent fitted). After my recovery I returned to exercise and I have not been back to the cardiologist since. I train 5-6 days a week. I strength train, and I do a cardiovascular exercise too. I have faced some anxieties along the way, but I have faced them with an overriding desire to live a full and active life.

Sarah Gill

I have a son with ASD who found it difficult when learning to swim as provision wasn’t bespoke enough for him. He now teaches within the swim school and is an S14 Paralympic swimmer. This was the driver of my ambition to give as many people as possible in North Lincolnshire the chance to be taught how to swim. I run a swimming school that specialises in inclusion through delivering lessons to people with SEN because I saw a gap in this provision within North Lincolnshire. I do all this whilst being physically disabled. I have used this to enable me to adapt the strokes for others with a physical disability. I have developed an aqua fit session for adults. I work with Scunthorpe Hospital to support people with long term physical conditions and help them to rebuild themselves physically. These sessions work on strengthening, stretching and flexibility all built up through the sessions. I also run an aqua stretch and relax class for adults who need to take a moment, who have mental health challenges, pain conditions and many other reasons. This session spends half an hour of stretching and then half an hour guided meditation whilst floating. There are so many benefits to exercising and swimming in the water.

Chris Cook

As a chartered physiotherapist I have seen first hand the benefit increasing activity levels can have even for those with long term health conditions.

When I'm not working to try and better the wellbeing of families in the East and West marsh for North East Lincolnshire Council or spending time with my partner and two young boys. You may find me taking part in parkrun or lifting weights, as exercise definitely blows out the cobwebs and makes me a better dad and wellbeing specialist.

David Barker

I am a retired PE teacher and father of a man with learning disabilities. I have worked in learning disabilities employment services and served on local, regional and national family carers bodies. I have worked for the local learning disabilities service and Leisure Services as the learning disabilities development officer.

Nicola Dean

I work with sport and activity organisations to embed safeguarding adults into their clubs and groups, everyone deserves to be safe when they are taking part in physical activity. I see the benefits to people's wellbeing of being more active- physically, emotionally, socially and just having fun! I have always loved sport and activity, I used to ski every year, run, play racquet sports, dance, swim, go to the gym and walk in the countryside.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 it hit me hard, the treatment was gruelling and I lost a lot of my fitness. Walking helped me so much during treatment to tackle the cancer fatigue and after treatment I was lucky to have a Macmillan funded place on a personal training programme. The impact on my mental health was as great as my physical health, it felt 'normal' and really got me back to feeling like me again.

In 2019 I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer which means it is treatable but not curable. I am on treatment for life and this is very much impacting on my health. Something that has helped me a lot has been yoga and relaxation, I have recently been part of setting up a local project funded by Macmillan, offering free yoga sessions to people affected by cancer. I also take part in online yoga sessions run by the charity Penny Brohn. I still swim and walk and am hoping to go back to the gym. A barrier for me is knowing what I can and can't do, how much I can do without exhausting myself. I would like to be able to train with someone who has an understanding of cancer and how my treatment impacts me.

Jessica

Meet Jess, Our Inspiring Community Ambassador

At just 9 years old, Jess is a remarkable young individual. She firmly believes in helping others reach their full potential, inspired by the kindness she has received from those around her. Jess’s passion lies in creating a warm and welcoming environment for newcomers, ensuring they feel at home as they embark on their active journey.

Jess was born with Cerebral Palsy and is an incredibly active individual. She uses splints, physiotherapy, and orthopaedic procedures to maintain her mobility but her love for sports knows no bounds—whether it’s playing football with Little Victories FC, participating in gymnastics, boxercise, or swimming, Jess thrives on the joy of movement.

As a Community Ambassador, Jess would like to connect with fellow ambassadors and engage in conversations about sports. She would like to share her enthusiasm for physical activity with other children who have disabilities and special educational needs (SEN) and hopes to inspire and empower others to embrace an active lifestyle.

Marc Ireland

I run the Grimsby Force Fit in Peoples Park - I currently enjoy Les Mills Programs and conduct them at home, I also have equipped my Garage in to a home gym.

My passion is helping others achieve their fitness goals, I'm ex Forces and have taken part in many events and used to run Half Marathons, which at some point will get back in to. I'm due to do a Boxercise course soon and will be conducting Community Boxercise sessions for family's in the community for family's to get fitter and enjoy family time.

Franklin Onukwugha

Physical activity improves not just the mental health and wellbeing of an individual but improves the overall health. It helps to be both physically and mentally strong. I cycle, I do gardening and I play football. Although, sometimes, I struggle with time but I do my best to keep healthy. Everyone should be encouraged to be active. The benefits are endless.

Kyle Tofton

I have suffered with mental health since I can remember. I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was young and then later on was diagnosed with bipolar and borderline schizophrenia, which I currently am on medication for.

I first decided to properly become frequently more active in October 2022 by starting the gym at my local leisure centre which I now go to 4 days a week. It has improved my mental health quite significantly. I often say that becoming active hasn’t cured my mental health but has very much soothed it and I feel that it’s really worth doing. Even though it can be hard work, it’s worth it in the end.

Recently I’ve had thoughts about maybe chasing a career in physical activity and specifically working with people who suffer with mental health and getting them active whether it’s in a gym, on a circuit course or maybe a sport like badminton. I feel that I could relate to them and inspire them to knowing that becoming active can actually improve your mental health.

Bea Wood

I have Tourettes, FND, autism and ADHD, all while being in a wheelchair due to paralysis in my legs. I'm trans female, and I'm the former Miss Transgender UK, I have done a TED talk, I came runner up in the global OCR buddy awards as female adaptive athlete of the year, and I'm a finalist in the UKOCR awards for adaptive athlete of the year. I go adaptive mountain biking, and do OCR's with my main one being Tough Mudder. I have just become a brand ambassador for Tough Mudder, and I'm a qualified level 2 technical official for British obstacle Sports.

I wanted to be an ambassador for Active Humber to help encourage LGBTQ people, neurodiverse, and disabled people that there is many benefits in sport. Having Tourettes myself I get so much relief from my tics and a mental release doing sport in an adaptive way so it's achievable. I would love to get more of our area active.

Sophie Bartup

My name is Sophie Bartup and I volunteer as the Chairwoman of Barton Inclusive Football Club, which I founded in 2019.
After volunteering within a disability football club at University, I returned home to Barton-upon-Humber in North Lincolnshire and I was keen to continue my involvement however there wasn’t a disability football team in my local area. This is where the idea of BIFC came from. With the support of Lincolnshire FA, our local community, and a small group of passionate and dedicated volunteers, BIFC came to life in September 2019. We started with two teams, an adult inclusive team and a walking football team. Now, in 2024, we have 16 teams across the Humber, including our BIFC - Hull project.

In my journey with BIFC, I have met so many inspirational people, and volunteering is a huge part of my life. I am who I am because of what volunteering has provided me, and I’ll be forever grateful to the people who have helped guide me, encourage me and been part of my journey and shared my motivation for making a difference. I am proud to volunteer with an amazing group of people who really are changing lives. In the very first days of BIFC, my goal was to impact positively on one person and their family. I can confidently say, that with the help of many wonderful volunteers, we have impacted on so many players providing them with the opportunity to live out their footballing dreams.
Volunteering has shaped my life and I am definitely happier and healthier for being part of a club like BIFC, where I give my time, yet I get so much more in return.

Henry and Herbie

Henry and Herbie became involved in Little Victories Cerebral Palsy Football after their mum responded to an advertisement about the club's launch. They were eager to play football because there were limited adaptive sports options in their area, and this was a great opportunity to engage in a sport, have fun, and be part of a club that catered to their needs. As they started playing football, their interest and involvement grew, and they found joy in being part of the team. Henry and Herbie both feel it is crucial to promote inclusive football, as raising awareness about it can encourage more children with disabilities to participate, develop life skills, make new friends, and be part of something truly wonderful and enriching.

Adam Loubani

I swim twice a week with two clubs, Special Olympics City of Hull and Kingston Upon Hull Masters Swimming Club. I also attend Tigers Trust multi sport sessions and Barton Inclusive Football Club alongside me using the pool and gym at East Riding Leisure Beverly and walking a minimum of 10,000 steps a day which is sometimes before college.

When I was younger it took a while to find sports I enjoyed and could do. I am not the best footballer in the world but I enjoy it to be active. Some clubs I tried were too competitive but I found Beverley Town Football club about 10 years ago and they really encouraged me and gave me a lot of confidence. I discovered Special Olympics about 12 years ago and that changed my life. From the very beginning I felt supported and that I belonged. I still feel that way. I have a learning disability and autism so it can take a while for me to learn new things.

Joanne Lambon

As a person with a disability and being overweight it is much more likely for me to be inactive. This was made even harder with physical activity not being readily available growing up, meaning I have had to start from the beginning. I swim two to three times a week, play walking football with Barton Inclusive and also help coach Wildcats which is an aged 5-11 non competitive football session on a Saturday morning.

Taking part in physical activity has helped me to build relationships and networks with other teams which has now lead to participating in friendly football matches at least once a month and raising money through running events. Through participating in physical activity, I have found that it doesn’t matter what you look like. I participate rain or shine as I enjoy the company of the people around me. The best thing to do is give it a try and see what you think.

Kenneth Reader

For many years I suffered from an alcohol addiction which brought on depression, hallucinations and paranoia. I got to the stage where I could not go on anymore and sought help from my doctor. Before then, I had a very sporty life, enjoying various sports with angling at the top of my list.
I am now 4 and a half years clean and have undertaken my coaching qualification course in angling. It is the best thing I have ever done as I am enjoying my sport at the same time as being at peace with nature.

Laura Gulley

I turned up to week 2 of the newly formed Beverley Fitmums, as there was childcare available and I was grateful to be able to run whilst my child was looked after. The running gave me some headspace and a time to chat with other parents and much needed fresh air. This was over 10 years ago now and I'm still a part of the team! I trained to be a run leader initially and then took over as the co-ordinator, first of the Tuesday daytime group and then of the Thursday evening group. I have subsequently also trained to be a Guide Runner and now lead on a programme supporting Visually Impaired people to both walk, run and do Strength & Conditioning exercise. I am also a Mental Health Champion and support people who might have challenges in attending a group for the first time. The physical benefits of being active for me have been huge but the benefits of being part of an amazing club, making friends, being surrounded by inspirational people and also giving something back to my community by volunteering have been great as well.

Kai Gill

My name is Kai Gill and I am 28 years old. I was born with a life limiting muscle wasting condition which effects my hips, legs, shoulders, arms and also my lungs. This means I can no longer walk or move my arms. I have to rely on other people to help me complete all daily tasks. I also have to use two lung functioning machines which help keep my chest clear from any colds and infections.

Despite all of this, I play powerchair football and have done for 11 years for Hull & East Yorkshire PFC. I'm the first team captain and we compete both nationally & regionally in the PTC Therapeutic Premiership and North East Regional League Premiership.

Angela Knight

I am currently very active I run with a run club and participate in many gym classes as well as weight training. I have not always had the confidence or the opportunity to do this though. In the past I have struggled with postnatal depression and health anxiety, I believe without being active and having the brilliant connections to like minded people, who are now firm friends, I would be unwell. I would love to help and guide others into feeling as great as I do now with small steps into activity however this looks for them.

Jaime Greaves

I am a Personal Trainer & Life Coach. I offer a seated exercise class for Stroke Survivors. Through this I have been honoured to see the determination and the tenacity these individuals show. How far they have come, the achievements, success and confidence they have gained through attending the sessions. I am part of their group, community and support network and would love to see this shown to so many more. I would like to help them see their is light, and that there is inspiration. With the right support and encouragement they can still achieve so much more.

Asha Walker

I am the co-founder of Move Humber, a CIC established to close the gap between private practice physiotherapy/ personal training and over subscribed out-patient services within the NHS. We recognised a large portion of our community have restricted access to physical activity due to age, socioeconomic barriers and disability. We provide a safe environment that enables people to overcome their barriers to physical activity. We have so far built connections and work with Parkinsons UK, Hull Royal Infirmary, Paul 4 Brain, East Riding For Community, Home For Hospital, Reed in Partnership as well as Active Humber who helped us to establish Move. Our aim is to encourage as many people as we can to increase their activity level

Katie Mackenzie-Hastings

'Last academic year I was chosen by my head of year for the girls carousal. I was chosen because I needed something to motivate me to engage with my GCSE's. Before the carousal started, I felt that I had low self esteem and was nervous about meeting new people. Following the carousal, I felt that I was more positive and confident about meeting new people and also using a public gym.

A few months after the carousal finished, Abigail and I were approached by Mr Richmond, asking if we would like to be Ambassador's for Active Humber. This opportunity made me feel proud of myself and special because I was selected as someone that could be a role model for my peers and hopefully inspire them to also get active.'