Jack Petchey Leader Award

David Robinson is the Ascension Eagles Cheerleaders (AEC) recipient of Jack Petchey Leader Award. David is a retired accountant, who was introduced to Ascension Eagles at an ELBA Christmas party. Shara Brice explained to David that AEC needed a new treasurer, particularly one with expertise in charitable accounting. David agreed to serve as AEC Treasurer for one year.
Five years later, David is still serving AEC as Treasurer. David pursues excellence in all he does, particularly in all things relating to finance. Our financial year ends in August; by December, AEC’s annual accounts are ready.

Over the past year, as our Chairperson has been on maternity leave, David has taken on the role of acting Chair as well. He could not have chosen a busier year to increase his volunteer investment in our growing charity. As AEC have travelled through unchartered territory, 2010 has been a record-breaking year: from pioneering London’s first cheer gym and opening Talent Central, to announcing Big Talk’s plans to make the AEC story into a film from world-wide release. When David joined, AEC was serving 100 young people weekly. This has increased to 1000 young people enjoying a variety of weekly classes, and partnerships with more than 40 schools and community groups.
While Ascension Eagles continue to compete (and win) at regional, national and international events, they also create competition experiences for local schools teams, and host Showcase events each term, which hundreds enjoy.

AEC Founder Shara Brice said, “From negotiating for new premises, to advising on a film deal, to supporting young volunteers and staff through challenges of being homeless as an organisation . . . it has been a roller coaster year. We are grateful to all our AEC Trustees, and particularly to David, for all the extra work he has invested to make sure AEC continue to operate with excellence. We celebrate our 15th season this year, and as we transition from a small to a medium sized organisation, we are dependent on volunteers like David Robinson. We are so grateful that he invests his precious retirement hours in our charity! He is a most deserving winner of the Jack Petchey Leader Award.”