A MOUNTAIN biker is to be recognised as a ‘community champion’ for his services to sport when he attends a reception at the House of Lords.

Oliver Graham is vice-chairman of Hamsterley Trailblazers – a mountain bike club – and has helped build and design a number of mountain bike trails in and around Hamsterley Forest, County Durham.

He has also developed links with local youth groups to whom the Trailblazers deliver regular training sessions thanks to their six fully qualified volunteer coaches.

The event is being hosted by Barclays Spaces for Sports and the Football Foundation, which since 2004 have worked together to develop 204 multi-sports sites in disadvantaged communities across the country.

About £67m has been invested into the Spaces for Sports programme.

Mr Graham said: “As a long-serving volunteer trail builder and vice chairman of the group, I have seen how the Barclays Spaces for Sports and Football Foundation funding that we have received has significantly helped us design new trails and attract new members.

“It is also my responsibility to liaise with the Forestry Commission and attract mountain bike tourists, all of which has been made easier due to the investment.”

Paulette Cohen, director of global programmes at Barclays, said: “It is wonderful that Oliver, just one of the hundreds of people who help run our facilities, is being recognised for his hard work.”

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of The Football Foundation, said: “Oliver is the embodiment of the many volunteers who work at Barclays Spaces for Sports sites, ensuring that their communities have access to quality sports facilities, and is thoroughly deserving of the accolade of Community Champion.”