Avid West Bromwich Albion supporter and prolific fundraiser "Blind Dave" Heeley has been shortlisted for the EFL Supporter of the Season Award.
Last week, Albion were named the Community Club of the Season for the Sky Bet Championship at the EFL Community Awards. An overall winner for across the EFL will be announced at the League's annual ceremony on Sunday, April 14, where the Supporter of the Season winner will also be revealed.
Dave Heeley, commonly known as "Blind Dave, is a Baggies fan of over fifty years, having grown up and lived in West Bromwich his entire life, following the club since his youth.
Dave has been an ambassador of the Foundation for over ten years now and is a great inspiration for many in the local community, specifically those with a disability or visual impairment.
He is well known and recognised for his fundraising efforts and challenges, whether that be through running, cycling, or swimming, having raised more than £3m for the club's charitable arm, the Albion Foundation.
The Supporter of the Season award seeks to provide recognition and praise for a passionate and loyal supporter, who has demonstrated their support, dedication and commitment to their club, its community and fellow supporters.
In the last 18 months, Dave has had two knee operations with two full reconstructions. Despite this, Dave has still participated in several fundraising challenges in aid of the Albion Foundation, while also being a motivational speaker at many events as part of his Foundation ambassadorial role.
The 66-year-old cycled 140-miles from Huddersfield to West Bromwich on a tandem bike last year, but his main achievement this season has been raising over £30,000 for the Foundation after completing the Hadrian's Wall walk in the summer.
Dave trekked over 130km across five days from Wallsend to Bowness, walking in high temperatures and across tough terrain, not long after recovering from a knee operation.
A week after walking along Hadrian's Wall, Dave hosted his annual Colour event, where hundreds of people ran 5km around Sandwell Valley Country Park in aid of the Foundation.
Dave isn't finished there though, with more challenges scheduled in for the remainder of 2024. The Baggies Cycle Challenge is next on the agenda, with Dave and 30 cyclists departing Rotherham's New York Stadium on Monday and cycling 160-miles to The Hawthorns in time for Wednesday night's fixture with the Millers. You can support the group's efforts by donating to the Foundation Just Giving page here.
On Dave's nomination for the award, Foundation Director, Rob Lake commented: "In the last 18 months he's had two knee operations and you're wondering, how does he keep going?
"But he does, and this year, even after two full knee reconstructions, he's still able to do the Hadrian's Wall trek.
"He's also done a number of different initiatives for us and it's just amazing, I don't know how he does it.
"He's an incredible supporter of The Albion Foundation. We're so grateful to him, and I can think of nobody more fitting for this award."