Volunteer Paton, 90, is Sports Personality Unsung Hero

Volunteer Jean Paton has won the 2024 BBC Sports Personality Unsung Hero award.

Jean, who is 90, has given her time to the Salterns Sailing Club in Lymington, Hampshire, for the best part of four decades.

She is a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) dinghy instructor.

Speaking to BBC One about the children at the sailing club, Jean said: "They are friendly and it is something they can do - it just makes them happy."

During her time at Salterns, Jean has helped more than 800 children learn to sail.

The club, which is run by children with the support of adults, operates as a not-for-profit organisation and hosts 'Moppy Camps' - RYA-accredited sail training weekends - twice yearly.

Paton has been at every camp since they began 20 years ago and has undertaken many roles, which require not only sailing expertise, but also leadership and the ability to inspire confidence in young sailors.

She was presented with the award by Dame Laura Kenny - Britain's most successful female Olympian - and Radio 2's Paddy McGuinness at the 71st edition of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.

Asked what advice she would give to anyone considering being a volunteer, Jean added: "Go ahead and try. There is always a child that needs your abilities.

"A child has a short few years of time when you can get through to them."

The Unsung Hero award recognises the volunteers in sport making a difference in their communities.

Other regional winners were Moon Mughis (Scotland), Liam Mackay (Wales), Rachel Reid (Northern Ireland), Samra Said (London), Ian Bennett (South West), Adam Kenyon (South East), George Sullivan (East), Stewart Nubley (East Midlands), Asha Rage (West Midlands), Bob Purcell (West), Paul McIntyre (North West), Keith Grainge (Yorkshire), Kristen Ingraham-Morgan (East Yorkshire & Lincolnshire), and Stephen Newton (North East & Cumbria).

Des Smith - the chair of the Sheffield Caribbean Sports Club - won the award last year.