A HOST of celebrities from the world of sport have heaped praise on the chairman of a group which manages Ross-on-Wye skatepark.

Keith Wilding, chairman of trustees at the Basement Youth Trust, attended a House of Lords reception which saw him recognised as a community champion by Barclays Spaces for Sports and the Football Foundation for his outstanding contribution to sport in the south Herefordshire town.

The reception was hosted by talkSPORT presenter Georgie Bingham and saw former footballer and Football Foundation Ambassador Dion Dublin lead a panel discussion on the importance of local, quality sports facilities.

Dublin was was joined by former England boss Graham Taylor, Southampton’s FA Cup-winning manager Lawrie McMenemy, and ex-Wimbledon, Liverpool and Spurs defender John Scales in lauding praise on Wilding, who was selected to represent the hundreds of people, over half of which are volunteers, who make a particularly significant contribution to their local Barclays Spaces for Sports facility.

Wilding began working with the Basement Youth Trust 12 years ago.

When the local authority no longer had the resources to run the skatepark, Wilding and the Trust assumed control and have overseen the site ever since.

It now sees children aged five upwards using it on a regular basis and it has also played host to competitions and demonstrations from professional skaters

Since 2004, the skatepark has received £76,000 worth of grants towards a new shelter with seating and electricity supply.

"It was an honour to be able to represent Ross-on-Wye skatepark at the House of Lords," said Wilding.

"We have worked very hard to improve our skate park over the years, and with the Basement Youth Trust picking up the running of the projects, has allowed the facility to be in constant use by the local community.

"We really would not have been able to take this all on without the financial and other practical support from the Football Foundation and Barclays Spaces for Sports."

Paulette Cohen, a director of global programmes at Barclays, said: “Support from volunteers within the community has been, and will continue to be, key to the success of all our Barclays Spaces for Sports sites.

"Thanks to the hard work of Keith and hundreds of other people who help run our facilities, more than 200 sites are providing people of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to build their skills and fulfil their potential."

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said Wilding is a "worthy receipient".

He epitomises the tireless work invested by volunteers up and down the country to ensure that local communities have access to quality sports facilities, not just today, but also for years to come."