The Lancashire Telegraph's Save the Centurions campaign has been nominated for a ‘Making a Difference’ award.
The campaign, which aimed to secure the future of Blackburn Centurions Swimming Club, is in the running as part of Journalism Matters Week.
This week-long event highlights the essential role of local media across the UK and celebrates trusted, high-quality journalism.
Organised by the News Media Association, the Making a Difference award invites the public to vote for their favourite local newspaper campaign from the past year.
The Lancashire Telegraph’s campaign called on the community to help raise £10,000 to keep the club running for another year.
Founded in 1878, Blackburn Centurions is one of the leading competitive swimming organisations in the North West.
It faced closure due to rising pool hire costs and financial pressures that threatened the training and development of nearly 100 young swimmers.
The campaign also featured interviews with former swimmers, including Olympic gold medallist Anna Hopkin, who had spoken out about the vital role the club had played in their development, both in and out of the pool.
Coaches, all volunteers, described how the club provided a safe and supportive environment that built confidence, resilience, and lasting friendships.
The club’s closure would have meant more than just the loss of a sporting facility.
It would have ended a key part of the town’s heritage and a vital community space for young people.
Journalism Matters Week runs from November 3 to 9.
The public vote for the Making a Difference award will open at 9.30am on Monday, November 3, and close at 5pm on Thursday, November 6.
The winners will be announced on Friday, November 7.
Readers are encouraged to vote for the Save the Centurions campaign.
If you would like to vote, visit: https://newsmediauk.org/making-a-difference/
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