Malcolm French – Inspiring Official of the Year

So there it is. Our secret is out. Now the whole world knows why we are the best club in the world. It is, in large part at least, because of Malcolm French.

England Athletics Regional Volunteer Awards highlight the contribution of volunteers to the athletics and running community, in our case across London.

As the above video, shot at the Southern Counties Athletics Championships where Malcolm was officiating, illustrates, Malcolm is among the people who have over the years contributed vast amounts. He has helped not just Serpies, but Middlesex and the whole athletics and related communities in and around London. He has been well-known as a tireless, kind, enthusiastic volunteer over four decades or more of service to our communities and at Serpentine, we know how fortunate we are to have him, and to have had him all these years.

Malcolm was unable to be present at the awards themselves and he would be the first to share the tribute to him with all the other volunteers who make our club and others like ours possible.

He did prepare a short speech which has been shared with us. He said, ‘I am honoured to have been nominated for this award and very surprised to be one of the winners especially as there are so many people deserving of it.

‘I am privileged to work with so many amazing volunteers involved in the sport. People who inspired me when I started volunteering and continue to do so, as well as all the new volunteers, who are the lifeblood of the sport. I am proud to be a small part of the athletics community. Truly, you have helped me to become who I am today.’

The entire evening last week was streamed and you can watch it here, but below is a short clip concerning Malcolm himself.