GAVIN Harvey has won the Active Suffolk ‘The Active Advocate Award (Volunteer)' 2021 category.

He was announced as the winner during an online ceremony on Tuesday afternoon – one of three organised by Active Suffolk across consecutive days.

Gavin (pictured above appearing in a short video during the ceremony) was nominated for inspiring others in the Wot’s Up FC disability squad to keep going during the Covid pandemic.

This latest accolade follows on from Gavin winning the 'Spirit of Grassroots Football Award' for 2021 at the Suffolk FA Awards Ceremony for 2020 & 2021 sponsored by McDonald’s & Jacobsen Ltd.

These times have been difficult everyone, but some within the squad have struggled more due to their learning difficulties.

Suffolk FA Football Development Officer (Growth) Kirsty Smith said: “I am so proud and happy for Gavin to win this award! His passion for football and being a goalkeeper is clear for everyone to see.

“However, it’s his enthusiasm and positive attitude that has really shone through over the last 18 months.

“He embodies everything that is great about football and we at Suffolk FA are very proud of Gavin. Huge congratulations – you deserve it.”

Gavin’s entry stated that his positivity inspired others to take similar action with regards to being active and to improve their mental and physical well-being.

He kept his fellow team-mates active, positive and confident as well as looking forward to a return to their football league and training.

Gavin never let the pandemic slow him down, training indoors and sharing videos and photographs of his various activities with the squad.

He showed a strength and willingness to be commended, an attitude of never giving up and with that influencing others not to as well.

Wot’s Up FC have a big squad with many different characters, all with different qualities on and off the pitch but without Gavin's input they may have lost some of those players.

Although Gavin has downs syndrome this doesn't stop him from striving to achieve what he wants.

He has consistently managed to inspire during the last 12 months whether it's sharing his regular goalkeeper training assisted by his wife or popping up on the group chat with some jovial content to get the players talking.

The award was sponsored by Cresign graphic communication of Ipswich.

Isaac Bell, who was Highly Commended in the Rising Star of the Year category for 2020 at the Suffolk FA Awards Ceremony for 2020 & 2021 sponsored by McDonald’s & Jacobsen Ltd, was shortlisted in The Active Change Award category.