THE HARRY Bennett Foundation, known locally as HB9, has been named as a finalist in the Active Award category at the BBC Hereford and Worcester Make a Difference Awards.
HB9 founder Andy Bennett received the news in memorable fashion. BBC Hereford and Worcester presenter Nina Das Gupta made a surprise visit to the charity’s third annual Golf Day at Bromsgrove Golf Centre.
As Andy prepared to tee off, Nina revealed HB9 had been selected as one of four finalists in the Active Award category. The Bromsgrove-based charity was nominated by several members of the local community. The award celebrates people who make a significant difference to their communities through sport and physical activity.
Andy founded HB9 in 2020 in memory of his son, Harry Bennett, who died from sepsis in January that year. Since then, the charity has supported hundreds of people, organisations and community projects across Bromsgrove and surrounding areas.
Harry, who attended South Bromsgrove High School, was a keen sportsman. The charity’s aim is to make grassroots sport as accessible as possible to all young people.
Over the past five years, HB9 has helped create opportunities for local children, young people and families. It has enabled them to participate in sport, attend major events and enjoy experiences that may otherwise have been out of reach.
Andy said: “It’s a real honour for HB9 to be recognised, but this isn’t about me alone.
“Everything we achieve is made possible by our incredible supporters and volunteers.
“We’ve never looked for reward or recognition. We just hope that we make a difference and, in doing so, keep Harry’s legacy alive.”
Recent support has included helping to fund 12-year-old Scarlet Lloyd’s trip to Sweden in July. There, she participated in the Gothia PUMA Cup.
HB9 also supported a special trip to Wimbledon on July 7 for six students and four staff members from Rigby Hall School. The group enjoyed an unforgettable day on Court 2, where they watched a women’s doubles match.
In April, the charity funded a trip for five young athletes from Bromsgrove’s Kazoku-Kan Judo Club to the Netherlands. There, they competed in the BENG XXVI Special Needs Judo Tournament. It was organised by the Special Needs Judo Foundation.
Andy added: “Everything HB9 achieves is made possible by the generosity of our supporters, sponsors, volunteers and everyone who attends our fundraising events.
“To be recognised by the BBC in this way is a huge honour for the whole HB9 community and for Harry.”
Finalists from all eight award categories will attend the BBC Hereford and Worcester Make a Difference Awards ceremony. The winners will be announced at the event at The Courtyard in Hereford on September 10.
