Chris Skelley wins Social Impact award at UK Sport PLx award evening

The high-performance community was celebrated last night as UK Sport hosted its annual PLx awards ceremony.

Launched for the first time in 2019, the PLx awards recognise those individuals, teams and sports who have made a significant contribution to the high-performance community, are achieving great things and having a special and positive impact across coaching, support services, innovation, collaborating and team working, and social impact.

On the 17 November the PLx awards winners were announced as part of a special virtual ceremony hosted by UK Sport Chair Dame Katherine Grainger and accomplished broadcaster Hazel Irvine.

One of our own, Chris Skelley, was awarded the Social Impact Award as an athlete that has positively impacted on their community.

During the Covid-19 pandemic VI judo fighter Skelley, among many other projects, volunteered for Phoenix Enterprises, a non-profit organisation in Swindon that supports disabled and vulnerable people in the community. Alongside maintaining his full-time training, he delivered food parcels and essential items to those isolating or unable to reach shops and supplies themselves.

Skelley said: “Phoenix Enterprises help people succeed and make sure they have a safe space to go and enjoy themselves. I am very honoured to be an ambassador for them. I just want to help people, that’s who I am. It is in my nature and always has been. If I can help someone have a good day by chatting to them or just making them a cup of tea, I have succeeded and that will make my day.”