The awards ceremony was held by Podium, the Further & Higher Education unit for the 2012 Games, as recognition of the vital role colleges and universities across the UK, including the University of Bristol, have played in delivering the London 2012 Games.

RELAYS was shortlisted from over 200 entries and was placed third following a week long public vote. The project also scooped a Silver Award for the Invaluable Volunteering Project and a Bronze Award for the Outstanding Sporting Project.

Collecting the awards on the night was Project Director, Leanne Dingle: ‘This has been a fantastic night for RELAYS and gives the project the national recognition that it so rightly deserves. These awards are the culmination of the extraordinary collaborative spirit of our region’s universities and cultural partners, who had the vision back in 2008 to recognise the unique ability of students and volunteers to inspire and engage with, to date, nearly half a million young people across the region.’

RELAYS is led by Universities South West and delivered through 11 of the region’s universities (the Arts University College at Bournemouth, Bath Spa University, Bournemouth University, Plymouth University, University College Falmouth, University College Plymouth St Mark and St John, University of Bath, University of Bristol, University of Exeter, University of Gloucestershire and the University of the West of England) and arts partners (Lyme Regis Development Trust, Watershed Bristol and The Works in Cornwall).

Through a blend of sport and culture, RELAYS has delivered a range of events from art workshops to school sports competitions, surf events, dance showcases and public festivals. Events are aimed primarily at young people up to the age of 18 and are run by RELAYS staff based at the universities and delivered through a team of trained student volunteers.

RELAYS is funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity that has been set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the 2012 Olympic Games and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Further information about RELAYS or the events that are being held for the rest of the year is available.