In May we celebrated the remarkable voluntary service of Alan Willoughby.

Alan first became a trustee of the Kendal Lads & Girls Club in January 1975, marking the beginning of 51 years of dedicated volunteering. During that time, both the Club and its building have undergone significant changes.

In 1992, when the building had fallen into a poor state of repair, Alan, as Chair, organised a "Challenge Anneka"-style community project to renovate it. Local tradespeople generously donated their time, skills, and expertise, helping to restore the building and reopen the Club for young people.

Alan's commitment to young people extends far beyond the Club. In 1974, he founded the Kendal Amateur Boxing Club and has served as its Head Coach for 52 years. Over the decades, countless young people have benefited from the opportunities the Boxing Club has provided. Many have travelled throughout Europe to compete, meet new people, and gain experiences that have enriched their lives.

In recognition of these outstanding achievements, it is my great pleasure, on behalf of Cumbria Voluntary Service, to present Alan with this plaque for his exceptional voluntary contribution and for consistently going above and beyond in support of the young people of Kendal and the wider community.

Furthermore, everyone at the Kendal Lads & Girls Club is delighted to honour Alan's extraordinary service by naming the Sports Hall:  The Alan Willoughby Hall

Congratulations, Alan, and thank you for your decades of dedication, and unwavering commitment to generations of young people.