Owls defender Reda Johnson has scored top points by being crowned the club’s Community Champion for 2013/14.
Reda scooped the award for his outstanding contribution and commitment to the Sheffield area and in particular, his dedication to Norfolk Park special needs school.
This season, Reda backed the school in their bid to raise funds for specialist equipment to enhance the education of pupils with severe learning difficulties and complex medical needs.
As well as encouraging others to donate, Reda also contributed £5,000 to the appeal to help finance a ‘Magic Carpet’ – a sensory learning tool which projects interactive games onto the floor and responds to even the slightest of movements. He is also encouraging others to donate to the school’s £10,000 fundraising campaign.
Reda said: “I feel honoured to be named the Community Champion and it’s great that the club has recognised the work I have done for the local community. Norfolk Park provides amazing support to its children so I wanted to help them raise funds to help them on their way to buying the special learning equipment.”
The Benin international was also commended for his community efforts by the Professional Footballers Association in addition to landing the ‘Player in the Community’ accolade at the Football League Awards earlier this year.
Reda added: “I love to make a difference to someone’s life, which I hope to be able to do more of, both through the club’s community programme and my involvement with Norfolk Park.”
Spencer Taylor, CSR manager at Sheffield Wednesday, said: “We’re delighted that Reda has been awarded the community champion of the year award and we look forward to supporting his commitment to the work he continues to do with Norfolk Park and in the South Yorkshire area.
“Reda is an excellent ambassador for our community programme and we look forward to even more people benefiting from his commitment.”
The Sheffield Wednesday Football Community Programme, which is the club’s charity arm, operates to support and provide sport inclusion and engagement for the communities surrounding South Yorkshire.