A WOMAN who embraced exercise despite being told she may never walk again and an amateur boxing club that boasts Lennox Lewis as a Facebook friend were among the winners at an awards ceremony in County Durham.

About 300 guests, including Olympian Jason Gardener and 2012 Team GB athletes Steph Houghton and Jess Eddie, attended the ninth annual Sports and Physical Activity Awards at the Xcel Centre in Newton Aycliffe, on Friday night.

Backed by Durham County Council and County Durham Sport, the awards recognise the achievements of unsung sporting heroes from across the county.

Nominations are sought in 13 categories and on Friday the winners were revealed.

Susanne Devanney won the Physical Activity Achievement of the Year award.

Ms Devanney broke her neck in a sporting incident in March and, after lengthy surgery, was told she might never walk again.

She said being a mother made her determined to defy the doctors’ predictions, and by July she was already walking, despite muscle wastage, co-ordination problems and nerve damage.

She regularly attends the gym, healthy circuits, swimming and aqua sessions.

Her nominator said: “Susanne’s continuing recovery is remarkable and a fantastic achievement in the face of adversity.”

Tootill Amateur Boxing Club, in Trimdon Colliery, near Sedgefield, also had cause to celebrate after being named Sports Club of the Year.

The club is run by dedicated members of the community and has produced 13 medical-carded young boxers, as well as regional champions.

Its Facebook page has nearly 3,000 fans, including boxing legend Lennox Lewis.

Councillor Maria Plews, cabinet member for sport and leisure at the council, said: “Each award winner and nominee plays a vital role in encouraging youngsters into sport, nurturing talent, sustaining local sports clubs and promoting healthy lifestyles.”

The Middleton-in-Teesdale community fitness suite, which was established 15 months ago in an under-used snooker room and now has more than 200 members, won the award for Contribution to Physical Activity.

The room was renovated into a fully-functional fitness suite, helping to improve the health of local individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease.

A spokesman for the suite praised the volunteers who give more than 60 hours a week to help keep the facility going.

:: Sports and Physical Activity Awards winners

Contribution to Physical Activity: Middleton in Teesdale Community Fitness Suite.

Physical Achievement of the Year: Susanne Devanney, Derwentside.

Coach of the Year: John Moore, Sedgefield.

Young Coach of the Year: Samantha Robson, Sedgefield.

Primary School Contribution to PE and School Sport: Byerley Park, Sedgefield.

Secondary School Contribution to PE and School Sport: The Academy at Shotton Hall, Easington.

Volunteer of the Year: John Tribble, Chester-le-Street.

Young Volunteer of the Year: Martin Green, Easington.

Sports Club of the Year: Tootill Amateur Boxing Club, Sedgefield.

Junior Sports Club of the Year: Louisa Allstars Trampoline Club, Derwentside.

Sporting Achievement of the Year: Mica McNeill, Derwentside.

Contribution to Sport: Bob Tinkler, Durham and Chesterle- Street.