Portsmouth and Havant-based charity wins award for its impact and is praised by actor Benedict Cumberbatch

Portsmouth and Havant-based Active Communities Network (ACN) has received recognition from Laureus – an organisation which celebrates achievements of athletes across the sporting world.

At the 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco, the group were praised for utilising the power of sport to impact on the lives of young people.

ACN was handed the Sport for Good award by renowned British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, star of BBC’s Sherlock and the movie Doctor Strange, who sang the charity’s praises.

Gary Stannett MBE, CEO of ACN, said: ‘As the newest of our projects the work in Leigh Park and Portsmouth has already engaged more than 2,000 young people in sports, youth work and education programmes.

‘The youngsters have been a great example of how when given support, role models and pathways can change lives and contribute massively to the local community.

‘This award recognises the fantastic work of all of our projects, and our Hampshire programme is a fantastic example of the work our staff do across the country.’

Laureus Sport for Good uses the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage, and has been one of ACN’s funding partners for 10 years.

A number of sportsmen, sportswomen and teams were nominated for awards, such as best sporting moment, at the annual event.

As well as having worked in Portsmouth and Havant for three years, ACN works in London, Manchester, Belfast and South Africa.

Speaking as ACN were revealed as award winners, Benedict Cumberbatch said: ‘I’ve seen first-hand the work Active Communities Network undertakes, and for me it’s the perfect example of ‘Sport for Good’.

‘I’ve met inspirational leaders who have come through the programme and are now role models, coaches and facilitators, giving back to the next generation.’

Members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, which is made up of athletes, chose ACN over four other charities at the final stage of selecting the winner of the award.

The charity was founded in 2007 and since then, more than 160,000 young people have been through its programmes.

Tayah Winslade, 19, joined ACN’s free Havant boxing sessions after facing domestic abuse aged just 15.

Now employed by the cause as a coach, she said: ‘ACN really helped me channel my emotions and gave me and my mum a way to escape what we were going through, together.’

Tim Lord-Hopkins, 25 from Portsmouth, was helped to overcome his history of young criminal activity when he joined ACN through free football sessions.

Now undertaking the initiative’s Sport for Development degree at the University of Gloucester – while leading its projects in Portsmouth – he said: ‘I am living proof of the amazing results this charity achieves.

‘It has changed my life and I would be in a far worse place without it.’