TREMENDOUS pro-gress has been made by Staindrop Gym Club since it was launched in a modest way two years ago by Angela Hedley.

It has just been hailed as Teesdale's junior sports club of the year at the volunteers' award ceremony - and it picked up four other honours into the bargain.

Hannah Bloomfield, 13, and Sarah Thompson, 14, who give up much of their spare time to help, were selected as young volunteers of the year.

Steve Collishaw was crowned male volunteer coach of the year, while his wife, Lyn, made it a family double by taking the title of female volunteer of the year.

Mrs Hedley began with two hours on Sunday mornings. Now the club has grown to more than 100 members, and the hours have stretched to seven hours on Sundays, plus Tuesday and Wednesday evening sessions.

"I am absolutely delighted and stunned by these awards," she told me.

One startling point is that toddlers can join from the age of two. The youngest gymnast, Carrie Jackson, won't be three until December.

"She is amazing," said Mrs Hedley. "She can do forward rolls, walk along beams and do other movements.

"We have 12 children aged two and three, and they are all doing really well."

Members range up to 15 years old, all eager to make the most of the time slot for their age group each week.

Mrs Hedley, the head coach, is community sports co-ordinator for Teesdale and Wear Valley, so she teaches gym techniques in schools by day, as well as in a large chunk of her free time.

Why? "Because I love gymnastics," she said.

The gym club has gained six medals in its only competition so far.

MAUREEN WATSON, who has clicked up a fair amount of money for Holy Trinity Church, in Eggleston, by knitting and selling comical little mice, will be busy with her needles during a special afternoon.

She is organising a sponsored knit in the church and will take part with five friends.

They will cast on and off as fast as they can at two sessions on Friday, June 29, to raise funds for much-needed repairs to the 138-year-old building.

Taking part with her will be the vicar, the Reverend Amanda Pike, her daughter, Zoe, Sheila Allen, Sue Mason and Elizabeth Caldwell.

Other knitters who would like to join in and sponsors will be welcome. Mrs Watson has been promised £150 for her efforts and believes they will end up with a fine sum.

They will knit strips, which will be sewn into a blanket to be given be to an old people's home.

Anyone who would like to help can call Mrs Watson on 01833 650268 or visit the church after 2pm on the day.

MOTHERS from Teesdale enjoyed running with their daughters in the Race for Life, in Darlington, last Sunday. They helped to create a fine family atmosphere, as well as raising money to fight cancer.

Doreen Powell, of Barnard Castle, stepped out with her three married daughters, Davina Tunstall, Denise Peacock and Diane Maude, and Diane was joined by her daughter, Helen. They pulled in more than £350.

A team from the Teesdale branch of Cancer Research UK was made up of three mothers and their daughters: Pam Ashmore with Rebecca, Elaine Joel with Claire and June Bland with Helen.

The six were resplendent in the branch's trademark garments - bright pink T-shirts.

Mrs Ashmore, the branch secretary, told me: "We thought it would be nice to make up a group of mums and daughters.

"We often try to encourage people to take part in events we organise in our area, so we felt it only right to support this one.

"We made about £800 between us, so it was really worthwhile."

Deborah Holland, of Barnard Castle, ran with her 11-year-old daughter, Natasha, who had completed a week on stage in Joseph at Billingham.

The pair swelled the fund by about £300.

Also on the move were seven women from Barnard Castle auction mart: Freda Longstaffe, Beverley Rutter, Mary Brown, Anona Makepeace, Pam Eccles, Julie Fenwick and Hilary Atkinson.

They raised more than £1,000, which included sums from a good number of farmers at the mart.

The team made about £500 last year by organising a barbecue, and divided it between the Great North Air Ambulance and local nurses.

They were delighted to double their takings this time.

A BIG improvement has been made to Teesdale Gun Club's shooting ground in Bail Hill, Mickleton, thanks to a £9,000 Lottery grant.

Eric Wilkinson, one of the club's stalwarts over many years, informed me that seven new clay-launching machines have been installed, amid other upgrading.

"It's now a tremendous lot better," he said, as he and other officials prepared for a charity shoot to be held on Monday, starting at 6pm.

A lot of the area's leading shots will be shouting "pull". Good prizes are on offer, thanks to the generosity of local tradespeople.

All the proceeds will go to the Great North Air Ambulance service. Another charity shoot will be conducted by the Chamber of Trade on Thursday.