7th October 2026 · Community
SOS Group supports community sports and unsung heroes
Team Valley-based office technology company SOS Group has once again helped recognise and celebrate the people at the heart of grassroots sport from across the North East region.
Team Valley-based office technology company SOS Group has once again helped recognise and celebrate the people at the heart of grassroots sport from across the North East region.
SOS Group was the main award sponsor of the Sport Newcastle Unsung Hero 2026 Awards, held at the home of Newcastle Red Bulls, Kingston Park, where volunteers, coaches, officials, and individuals from the region came together to receive their special recognition awards.
The awards help shine a light on the people who tirelessly dedicate their time and energy to grassroots sport, often working quietly behind the scenes to create opportunities for others to participate, compete, and succeed.
Hosted by the Sport Newcastle volunteer committee, the event was attended by a range of athletes, volunteers, businesses, and supporters from across the region and honoured people from different sports and communities for their passion and inspiring others through sport.
SOS Group Director, John Behan, helped present the awards and said: “We’re so proud to continue our long-term support for Sport Newcastle and the inspiring work they do to champion the next generation of local sporting heroes. As a business deeply rooted in the North East, and with a team of active sports enthusiasts within the company, we’re thrilled to continue our long running support of Sport Newcastle.
The Unsung Hero awards typify what Sport Newcastle stand for, and the awards really showcase what grassroots sport and the many dedicated people who give up their time to help young sports people achieve their dreams.
The overall winners of the Sport Newcastle Unsung Hero Awards were Danielle Dickinson (Little Swimming Company), Jonathan Poulter (Serenity BJJ), Andrew Clark (Blyth Cricket Club), Hayden MacDonald (Sunderland Rowing Club), Jenny O’Neil (Eagles Community Foundation and South Tyneside Basketball Club), Harriet Lee (Tynemouth Amateur Swimming Club), Emily Betham (Tynemouth Swimming Club), Steve Beaty Snr (Cramlington Rockets RLFC), Will Maddison (Cramlington Rockets RLFC and Rockets Community Foundation), and Steve Abbot (Northumberland Badminton and Tyneside Badminton Centre).
SOS Group’s support for grassroots sport extends beyond recognition, with the company also recently sponsoring the 12th Reason To Disability Triathlon in Hexham. The event brought together 64 children and adults with disabilities, aged from six to 74, who completed swimming, cycling and running with support and specially adapted equipment.
Organised by triathletes Jo Shallcross and Tracey Sample, the event was the largest to date and has grown from just a handful of entrants. SOS Group took a hands-on role in helping deliver the event, including setting up, transporting specially adapted bikes and providing financial support.
Andrew Skelton, SOS Group Director, commented:
We love being part of this very special day and it’s obvious from the beaming smiles how much the triathlon means to the participants and their loved ones. It’s an incredible event and you can see the pride the triathletes are feeling as they swim, cycle and run. It’s truly life affirming and SOS Group is very proud to support the event.
For the remainder of 2026, SOS Group will be helping deliver high-profile events for clients including Swim England, Aquatics GB, British Universities and Colleges Sports, English Schools Swimming Association, and UK Athletics. Events can range from one day to two weeks in duration in venues as large as 13,000 square metres and requiring as many as 50 devices.
Last year, the company provided office technology solutions at events including the Swim England Open Water National Championships, the Aquatics GB Diving Championships, and Novuna UK Athletics Championships.
The Gateshead-based firm was also recently awarded the contract to supply the European Athletics Championships 2026 being held in Birmingham. Given their involvement in sport, the copy print scan specialists are strong supporters of all sporting talent, whether that’s sponsoring individuals and teams or supporting inclusion.
Most recently, SOS Group has supported activities as diverse as lawn bowling, triathlon, and basketball. It also recently helped deliver the Riding for the Disability Association’s National Championships in Hartpury and has committed to supporting the event for the next five years.
Over three days, competitors took part in classes from dressage and show jumping to carriage driving and vaulting. SOS Group also utilised Heat Free Epson devices to contribute to the event’s sustainability.
SOS Group Director, Andrew Skelton, was on hand for the entire championships and said: “Each year, the Riding Disability Association supports an incredible 39,000 children and adults with disabilities.
The equestrian activities enabled are enjoyable, sometimes competitive, and help boost mental and physical well-being, as well as building self-confidence. We’re proud to have supported the association since 2018 and look forward to the next five years.
Over the last year, SOS Group has provided hands-on and financial support for more than 30 community projects, charities, sports clubs and talented individuals.
Established in 2002, SOS Group is an award-winning office technology company facilitating business requirements across all sectors and specialising in providing copy, print, scan solutions. For more information on how SOS Group can support the needs of any business or event, visit SOS Group.