The Val Evans Tribute Award
In memory of Val Evans, who sadly passed away in 2025, a new Club award has been established. It was awarded for the first time to Tim Haimes at our annual Awards Evening on Friday. Val was a much loved member of the Club – a competitive runner in her F70 category, leader of the Coach to 5k programme, all-round volunteer and an inspiration to all who knew her. We have received the following letter from her family, which is reproduced here in full.
Dear Tavistock Athletic Club,
On behalf of our family, I would like to offer our sincere thanks for everything that the members of Tavistock Athletic Club did for our mum, Val Evans, and for the kindness and thoughtfulness you have shown since she died on 27 September 2025. Being part of the club meant a great deal to her. She valued the friendships she made and the encouragement she received. She also greatly appreciated the sense of belonging that came from training, racing, leading groups, and volunteering alongside others. She often spoke very enthusiastically about this.
We have been deeply touched by the decision to establish the Val Evans Tribute Award in her memory. This is a generous and meaningful gesture, and one that feels entirely in keeping with who our mum was. She cared deeply about people and believed strongly in offering support, encouragement, and companionship to those going through difficult times. Beyond running, she spent many years involved with the Tavistock Parkinson’s Support Group, quietly giving her time and energy supporting others. Seen in that wider context, if feels that this award reflects not only her connection to the club, but also the way she tried to contribute to living in Tavistock and to the community as a whole.
We would like to send our very best wishes and thoughts to Tim Haimes. Tim is a lovely person who I remember fondly from school. Mum spoke warmly of the time they spent walking together in the meadows during her illness and of the tremendous support he gave her. It feels highly appropriate that he is the first recipient of an award that has the narrative of someone who has dealt with challenging times and adversity.
Finally, thank you to everyone at Tavistock Athletic Club for the role you played in our mum’s life, for the care shown in remembering her, and for the amazing support she received during her illness, which went far beyond running. It meant so much to us that 41 members attended her funeral and formed a guard of honour for her; she would have been truly touched by that. The friendships, encouragement, and kindness she experienced through the club meant a great deal to her and to us. This tribute is a great comfort to our family, and we will always be grateful.
With sincere thanks,
Darren, Mathew and Catherine
