We’ve very pleased to hear that Luke Fox, one of the learners known to our Therapies team, has reached the finals of Sutton’s Community Awards.
20-year-old Luke has been shortlisted for the Outstanding Young Person category of the annual awards that recognise a young person under 21 who has brought real credit to the borough through exceptional academic, sporting, artistic or cultural achievements.
As a young person with additional needs himself, Luke is a passionate advocate for young people in the borough involved in disability football. He promotes this through his volunteer work as Sutton United’s Media Officer and involvement in their website and social media channels.
Luke was nominated without his knowledge by our Speech and Language Therapist, Ashlea Stephens. Ashlea has been working with Luke for nearly four years, providing him with the skills and strategies to become more independent and participate in social opportunities and employment and training.
Ashlea nominated Luke for his tireless efforts and outstanding work in the community to inspire people with disabilities who want to play football to do so more competitively, and not just for a charitable cause.
Luke said, “I really didn’t expect to be nominated, let alone be in the finals, but it’s very exciting. I love what I do as a Media Officer and my hope is that disability football can receive the same recognition as any other form of the game. Thank you to Ashlea for nominating me, but above all for helping me to have the confidence I need to be as a Media Officer, and anything else I want to be!”
Luke’s mum said, “I am so proud of Luke, not only for being shortlisted, but for all that he’s achieved. I really can’t give Ashlea enough praise for everything she’s done for him, in and out of the sessions*. Speech and language therapy has been so important for Luke across his whole life and I don’t know where we would be without her support.” Luke is one of the finalists in the category that will now go to a judging panel and the winner will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on 3 February 2021.
Luke is one of the finalists in the category that will now go to a judging panel and the winner will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on 3 February 2021.
Good luck, Luke!
Learn more about Sutton’s Community Awards
Follow Luke and Sutton United Football Club on Instagram @suttonuniteddisability, Twitter @SUFC_Disability or visit www.suttonunited.net/disability-teams
*Ashlea has attended Luke’s performances and events in her own time