Coach has 'changed the lives of so many riders'

An inspirational cycling coach who has "changed many lives" has been crowned the winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero Award in the North East and Cumbria.

Stephen Newton runs sessions at Stockton Wheelers Cycling Club for disabled riders to enjoy the sport.

Sarah Smith cycled for years, but thought she would have to stop the sport she loved when she suddenly lost her sight.

"I never thought I'd ever get on a bike again, but Steve and the volunteers have made it possible and I love it," she said.

It started when Mr Newton put up a Facebook post, offering to pilot a tandem for anyone wanting to ride.

He started with one visually impaired cyclist.

Three years on, 25 people take part in the sessions.

Mr Newton said: "It's a real privilege to help and watch them grow to love cycling."

Sarah Smith thought she would never cycle again after losing her sight

Mr Newton said there were "very limited opportunities" for disabled people to access sport.

When he started the sessions, some riders had trouble peddling or staying on the track.

He said they were all now "comfortable and confident".

Stockton Wheelers Cycling Club has been running for three years

Club member Mel Robson, who is partially sighted, said she had little interest in taking up cycling.

She only went to a taster session to stop her family "nagging her", she said.

Three years on, Mel has gone from a reluctant cyclist to completing a 115-mile (185km) round trip from Teesside to York.

Ms Robson said the sessions "mean the world to everyone and it's now a great little community".

Lyndsey Hollands, from British Cycling, described Mr Newton as the "perfect candidate" for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero Award.

She said there were many volunteers who did amazing things across all sports, but he went "above and beyond".

"He's changed the lives of so many riders, so many parents who thought their children would never be able to ride a bike."

Find out more about the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards here.