Nominated by North Yorkshire Sport, Jack is being passed on the baton from 2013 Shining Light George Middleton.

Jack is currently a student but also kindly works in his spare time as a Volunteer Coordinator for York St John College. Jack is a vital part of the team of student volunteers and does countless hours of volunteering to help clubs in a number of sports across York, North Yorkshire and other areas in the UK. Jack also works with disability sports clubs and has created a club in York.

Commenting on his volunteering, Jack said “I am currently studying a Sports Science and Exercise practice degree at York St. John University. I started volunteering around the age of 10 within my local primary school by running tag rugby sessions for the younger years.

I carried on with the odd bit of volunteering for example with a local cubs group, it was at the age of 16 where I interviewed for my first ever official volunteering role within the Thames Valley police department. This gave me the confidence to assist with a local youth club.  It wasn't until the end of college where I needed to do a work placement and did this with Get Berkshire Active. From there I was hooked into working at sport events!

The role at Get Berkshire Active included working at the Berkshire School Games and assisting with the Olympic Torch relay when it visited a local town. I still go back to visit and assist with taking workshops at the leadership academy and taking a role at both the winter and Summer Berkshire School Games.

I came to university and found the York St John multi-sports club, I was hooked from the beginning and loved waking up every Saturday morning to put on my uniform and be apart of the sessions. The highlight of my volunteering journey was the summer of 2013; I went to Zambia to teach tag rugby, this was a massive eye opener and made you appreciate everything you had.

I came back to University and was successful in obtaining the role of Coordinator of the multi-sports club in which I initially volunteered for. I am now volunteering with the RFU, Sports Special Partnership and schemes within the university. This summer I will be off to Glasgow to volunteer at the Commonwealth Games and fingers crossed I will be volunteering at the Rugby World Cup next year.

I can't explain how rewarding volunteering is, so why not give it a go!