Arguably Mansfield’s biggest sporting success story was among the guests at a ball to celebrate the town’s unique Armchair Club fundraisers.

The group, formed in 1982 by six businessmen, has raised more than £200,000 since then to help individuals, teams and organisations further their sporting stories.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF SOME OF THE ATHLETES HELPED BY THE ARMCHAIR CLUB

The Sporting Heroes Ball at the Civic Quarter celebrated the Armchair Club, thought to be the only one of its kind in the country, and all the local sports people and clubs it has supported over the past 36 years.

Dozens of local able-bodied and disabled sportspeople, including some who have gone on to national and international prominence and others who just needed financial support to purchase their next piece of equipment to compete at a local level, have been helped.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SPORTING HEROES BALL

Among them was Britain’s most successful female swimmer, double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington.

She told how the club’s money helped her at the start of a glittering career.

Rebecca, who also shared inside stories about her journey to Olympic success, Commonwealth Games double silver medallist swimmer Elliot Clogg, and world champion motorcyclists Ben and Tom Birchall said how vital the Armchair Club support had been to them.

They said as well as helping them achieve sporting objectives through financial support, the club showed the sportsmen and women the massive formal support and goodwill for them in the Mansfield community — a very positive influence.

Armchair Club joint founder Stewart Rickersey talked about how the club’s original objectives were to provide financial support for the then ailing Mansfield Town FC.

The club quickly developed into providing financial support for the wider local sporting community, particularly young people.

Stewart told a packed audience how he was still astounded at the success of the club since early humble objectives — and that Mansfield should by very proud.

As well as Rebecca Adlington, Elliot Clogg and the Birchall brothers, other recipients have included Ollie and Sam Hyde, Freya Christie, Charlotte Henshall, Bailey Lowe, Chris Adcock, Oliver Wilson, Ross Lamb, Jordan Boulton, Ethan Davies, and Luke Duffy, together with many others.

Today the Armchair Club is run by 14 businessmen who give up their time to organise fundraising events and awareness to promote sport in the area.

Grants are available to young sports people and clubs based in Mansfield and Ashfield.

Go to www.armchairclub.org for details.