Chairman Ron Gill nominated for the BBC Unsung Hero Award 2006

Ron Gill, Chairman of Macclesfield Seals Swimming Club, has been nominated for the BBC Sport Unsung Hero award.

Macclesfield Seals Swimming Club is a club for people with disabilities, from any age group, children and adults, with any kind of disability. The Seals Club, which was formed in Spring 1957, is celebrating their 50th Birthday next April and meets at Macclesfield Leisure Centre pool each Friday evening.

Ron Gill, started to swim with the Seals as a young man in the early 1970s. An amputee himself, he says that he gained such a lot from being a member, that when someone was required to help on the committee he accepted the post of Chairman. He has now been Chairman for over 23 years, and is poolside every week, encouraging, keeping order and making sure everyone has a good time.

Although it is not a "teaching" club as such, Ron has encouraged and enabled many members to learn to swim or improve their skills, gaining ability and distance badges along the way.

For less able members Ron has encouraged the use of volunteer helpers, including many local 6th formers and students requiring volunteering hours for their Duke of Edinburgh awards. Ron has also encouraged other members who, like Ron, started with The Seals Club in their youth and now as young adults are able to help others either in the water or as 'spotters' on the poolside.

The Seals Club is a social swimming club rather than a training group, and Ron has fostered a great caring family atmosphere amongst all the members. Many people visiting the Club are astonished at the unique atmosphere

There are no membership fees, and admission to the pool, supervision and instruction is all free of charge to members. All our expenses have to be found from charitable donations or grants. For years, Ron has tirelessly approached local companies and charitable groups for support to enable the Club to continue, without this unstinting support the Club would have folded years ago.

Ron is a special sort of person, quiet and unassuming, he does not seek publicity for himself, in fact he is quite embarrassed at being nominated, yet his constant work and commitment to the club for over 35 years, 23 years as Chairman, deserves to be recognised.