WEST Dunbartonshire Community Sports Awards winner Allan Clark has dedicated his life to helping children with disabilities.

Mr Clark won the Disability Sports Award at last year’s awards and has devoted himself to the Dunbartonshire Disability Sports Club.

He has two children with a rare medical condition called Bardet Biedl syndrome, which can be very debilitating, but he has always encouraged them to stay active.

This led to the 42-year-old becoming a founder member of Dunbartonshire Disability sports club and he has been a committee member ever since.

Allan, in partnership with the club secretary, has raised £17,110 for DDSC.

These funds help the club to provide children and young people who have a disability an opportunity to participate in regular weekly swimming and multi-sport sessions.

Speaking after last year’s awards ceremony, Mr Clark said:“My children are very sport-orientated, so it’s great that I can be part of something that keeps them fit and healthy.

“The club has been an amazing part of my life. We have been on the go for five years – in that time we have received charitable status, received monies from the Lottery and Children in Need. We are well supported but without volunteers, the committee and myself, it wouldn’t be the success it is.”

The West Dunbartonshire Community Sports Awards 2016 will take place on Thursday, October 13, at Clydebank Town Hall.

The awards, in association with West Dunbartonshire Leisure, recognise and honour the achievements and endeavours of ordinary people in sports communities throughout the region.

Since their inception in 2014, the awards have gained the respect and support of the sports community as a result of the thorough judging process and the high-calibre awards evening which celebrates the winners and nominees in a range of categories.

Henry Ainslie, editor of the Clydebank Post and Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter, said: “The ever-increasing standard and quality of sporting endeavour and performance throughout Clydebank, Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven never ceases to amaze.

“The West Dunbartonshire Community Sports Awards 2016 provide the perfect platform to celebrate all that is great and good about sport and sporting achievement in this rich and diverse area.

“We at the Post and the Reporter are honoured to support these fantastic awards, which give all those deserving athletes, coaches and volunteers who help make sport happen at all levels in West Dunbartonshire their moment in the sun. “From the dedicated coaches and volunteers who give up their time to make grass-roots sport happen, right up to gold-medal-winning performances in international competition – this is your chance to recognise their contributions.”

The event encompasses a wide range of sporting disciplines, engaging with athletes, coaches, volunteers and sporting officials from our local communities and clubs.

West Dunbartonshire Leisure, general manager John Anderson said:“These people put others ahead of themselves and our community owe them a massive debt of gratitude.”

The deadline for nominations for this year’s awards is Sunday. For more information, call Mairi Cotter on 01383 747546 or email Mairi.Cotter@newsquest.co.uk.