The winner of the REPs Exceptional Achievement Award 2008 was Margaret Charlwood, aged 71, who, despite being told she may never walk again after a car-crash when she was child, still teaches 13 Medau Movement and Dance classes a week from mothers and toddlers to retirement home residents.

She first started dancing as an aid to recovery after her accident and eventually opened her own dance school in Sussex and discovering the Medau system of movement training in the 60s, qualifying as a teacher in 1968 and then as an trainer.

She has been closely involved in the Medau Society's National Display Team, including coaching an choreographing the team and has also played an instrumental role in the development of teacher training at all levels.

Despite her own busy teaching schedule she is still actively involved in curriculum development and training new teachers and is passionate about the need to move with the times and to continue learning and improving.

In addition, for the first time, a Special Commendation was given to David Nicholls for the work he does in the field of martial arts-based fitness and in particular the time he spends helping under-privileged children in London and Hertfordshire.

Through fitness and exercise he teaches them self-discipline, respect for themselves and others as well as the physical benefits of strength, flexibility, balance and poise that can come from regular work-outs as well as teaching fellow instructors.