'We can deliver something special for our area'

A former Paralympian has been chosen to lead a group that will decide how £20m of government funding will be spent in the Hessle Road area of Hull.

Simon Berry, 63, has been appointed as chairman of the Boulevard and St Andrews Pride in Place Community Board.

The money was announced by the government in 2025 to help revive local communities.

Berry said he was delighted to have been selected, adding: "I'm confident that by collaborating and listening we can deliver something truly special for the area over the next ten years."

The idea of the Pride in Place fund is to allow members of the public to submit ideas on how the money should be spent in their area.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "We're giving local people the power to transform their hometowns."

Berry, who is also chairman of the Hull Community Pub Society, added: "I had a motorbike accident when I was 18, which some people say, unfortunately, put you in a wheelchair, but actually for me it's been the making of me."

He went on to compete in the 2006 Winter Paralympics in Turin in ice sledge hockey, now Para-ice hockey, and he was also awarded BBC Disabled Sports Personality of the Year in April 2006.

Berry, who moved to Hessle Road 12 years ago from another part of Hull, said he was keen to bring the local community closer.

"We talk about communities, but we're talking about individuals and people that want to improve the environment that they live in. And that's what we need to do," he said.

Haitam Mohammed Amudi, 22, has also been appointed as deputy chairman.

He was born in Hull and moved to the Hessle Road area in 2009. He is currently studying prosthetics and orthotics at Glasgow University and said he regularly returned home and was "always involved in the community".

He said: "I want to step in and help. To be able to facilitate community groups, focus groups and safe spaces for young people and children."

Hull West and Haltemprice MP Emma Hardy, who was on the selection panel that chose both the board members, said: "I'm really looking forward to working alongside Simon, Haitam and local councillors to build a board that truly represents the voices of Boulevard and St Andrews."

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