As part of the EFL Community Weekend celebrations, the Foundation shone a light on five incredible members of our community.
Here is a summary of who our five Community Heroes are and why their outstanding community work deserves recognition.
Tom Baker
Tom is a familiar face around the LNER Stadium, having volunteered on matchdays for many years. His passion for helping people has seen him combine his year 13 studies with assisting at youth club, as well as captaining the Foundation's football team. In this time, Tom has been dealing with personal turmoil due to his father’s neurone disease diagnosis, and his commitment to helping others during an incredibly difficult period has been admirable.
Brittany Bell
Brittany’s journey with the Lincoln City Foundation began 13 years ago when she joined as an apprentice coach. Since then her passion and commitment has seen her grow into a key leader, overseeing Foundation operations, volunteer placements, 3G activity, and matchday delivery. A true team player, Brittany is always willing to go the extra mile in supporting the wide range of programmes the Foundation delivers throughout the year both here at the stadium and out at events. Her ability and passion to make a difference embodies everything the EFL Community Heroes initiative stands for.
Barbi Gooding
Barbi is an undisputed local hero within the Sincil Bank community and has volunteered to support various groups, projects and community initiatives over several years. During this time Barbi has worked collaboratively with the community team at Lincoln City Foundation to organise and host community events and activities which have brought joy to many residents and sought to improve the neighbourhood in which she lives in. Barbi has a particular passion for creating a cleaner community and leads the Sincil Bank Litter Picking Group who work tirelessly to clean the streets of the area for all to enjoy.
Judith Meija
Judith has been an enthusiastic member of the Foundation’s Conversation Club sessions and English for Speakers of Other Languages lessons. Since joining the Foundation she has progressed to volunteering, helping at several of the Foundation’s community programmes including our Social Hub and Extra Time Hub groups. Judith has also supported wider community events in the Sincil Bank area of the city aimed at bringing local people together. She continues to play a key role within English classes welcoming and supporting new members.
Patrick O’Reilly
Patrick is a highly valued coach and volunteer at the Foundation who is committed and caring towards all the players he supports both on our women’s walking football programme and our Down’s Syndrome Active team. Patrick is a champion of inclusivity, and this is apparent in the way he coaches and makes every member of his sessions feel part of a community. Nothing is ever too much to ask from him and he will willingly give his time to support wider Lincoln City Foundation groups and projects to enable more people to improve their life through physical activity and sport.