Maidenhead sportswoman, 86, nationally recognised for 70 years of volunteering

A Maidenhead sportswoman has scooped a national award for being an ‘outstanding’ volunteer.

Gina Macgregor, 86, won the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award for her seven decades of commitment to volunteering.

The Seriously Social Awards held in Salford on November 13 highlighted the value and impact of charities and social enterprises in public leisure and culture.

Gina told the Advertiser: "When I was young, you volunteered anywhere – people didn’t get paid for doing things.

“I have volunteered since I was 15 years old and started at the local youth centre.

“I’d be a very rich woman if I got paid for all the hours I put in, but I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, so it doesn’t matter. Seventy years on, and I still love it."

Gina works for Leisure Focus at Braywick Leisure Centre and Furze Platt School, running netball and short-tennis sessions for the over 50s.

For 50 years, she has been helping promote sports in Maidenhead since she moved here in 1969 and started a netball league in 1971.

“If I can do something or start it, I start it,” she said.

“It’s just one of those things. I’ve always been involved. It’s not something you think about – because I’ve always done it, it comes naturally.

“I’m not a sitter – I can’t sit still. I have to be doing something.

“I remember at school, I must have been six, and the teacher said to my mum, ‘How the hell can we keep Gina still?’

“I’ve always been like it.”

Gina has been running an over-50s sports class for more than 20 years and a group she started at the Magnet Leisure Centre is still going strong today.

Speaking about the award win, Gina said: “I thought it was absolutely marvellous.

“Lots of other people are volunteering, and I just think it ought to be them and not me, but don’t get me wrong, I’m absolutely thrilled to bits that a person my age can get an award.

“It’s nice that people see you and think you’re doing something good.

“All the people that help me need their awards. Things can’t run [alone] – you need other volunteers. You can’t run things without volunteers. It’s thanks to them as well.”

In addition to Gina’s win, Raj Bensal was nominated for the Employee Award, celebrating his dedication and influence in enhancing public leisure services and enriching the community’s well-being.

Leisure Focus Sports Inclusion Manager Jatinder Singh Rakhra said: "Gina’s recognition is a moment of immense pride for all of us. Her dedication to service is inspirational, and Raj’s commitment embodies the values we strive to uphold every day.

"These awards celebrate the transformative role that leisure and culture play in our communities, and we are thrilled to see Gina and Raj’s contributions acknowledged on a national stage."