GYM Teenies in Guiseley has been announced as a finalist in a national children’s activities award.

The organisation will go through to the final of the What’s On 4 Kids Activities Awards 2020 with Morton Michel.

The awards were launched in 2007 to celebrate the UK’s best children’s clubs and classes, along with leaders and volunteers - as nominated and voted for by parents and carers.

A spokesman for the awards said: “This year more than any other year these national awards are an important recognition of the crucial role children’s activities play in the lives of families across the UK.

“Due to Covid-19 there have been many challenges faced for children’s sports and activities and now many are wanting to are get back into their sessions, that are safe and just as beneficial to the health and well-being of children and parents.”

Gym Teenies is officially a finalist in the Most Loved Sport /Physical Activity -independent category. The organisation will be invited to the first ever virtual ceremony for the awards on October 8, live and online with Red Book Productions and hosted by Jonathan Bremner.

Now in its 14th year, the national awards programme welcomes the return of headline sponsor Morton Michel and repeat supporters STA, ClassBiz and NatWest. Parents and carers logged on to the What’s On 4 Kids website to cast 50,000 nominations and votes to ensure that their ‘most-loved’ were in the running.

Gym Teenies is primarily for pre-school children, aged from eight weeks to five years. Founded in 2015 by Tori Wareing, to provide a safe, fun learning environment for children to run, jump, spin, bounce and learn through play. It aims to build confidence, social skills, discipline, self awareness and fundamental physical skills- preparing children for school and the world of sport and physical activity.

In a message to the Guiseley organisation one of the parents Christine Maynard said: “Gym Teenies has been such a big part of our lives. You have helped me any my children more than you know and way above and beyond the gym side. The classes are outstanding, professional and you obviously have a wealth of experience and knowledge. You treat all the children with the same level of care and compassion. You always have a smile, a wink and a reassuring squeeze.”

A spokesman for the childcare insurance specialist Morton Michel said: “As a founding member of the Children’s Activities Association we are passionate about raising the professional standards in this area of the childcare industry and these awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise the very best of the UK’s kids’ clubs, classes and teachers.”

What’s On 4 Kids managing director Sam Willoughby said: “We know from parents’ testimonials how clubs, classes and individual leaders have such a positive impact on the lives of their children and it’s an honour therefore to publicly recognise and celebrate these activity providers in this way.”