90-Year-Old Volunteer Jean Paton Honored with Sports Personality Unsung Hero Award

Volunteer Jean Paton has been named the recipient of the 2024 BBC Sports Personality Unsung Hero award. Ms. Paton, aged 90, has dedicated nearly four decades of her time to the Salterns Sailing Club in Lymington, Hampshire. She holds the qualification of a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) dinghy instructor. In an interview with BBC One, Ms. Paton commented on the children at the sailing club, stating: “They are friendly and it is something they can do – it just makes them happy.” Throughout her tenure at Salterns, Ms. Paton has assisted over 800 children in acquiring sailing skills. The club, managed by children with adult assistance, functions as a not-for-profit entity and conducts ‘Moppy Camps’ – RYA-accredited sail training weekends – semi-annually. Ms. Paton has attended every camp since their inception two decades ago, fulfilling numerous responsibilities that demand not only proficiency in sailing but also leadership qualities and the capacity to instill confidence in young sailors. The award was presented to her by Dame Laura Kenny, recognized as Britain’s most successful female Olympian, and Radio 2’s Paddy McGuinness during the 71st annual BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony. When asked for advice for prospective volunteers, Ms. Paton offered: “Go ahead and try. There is always a child that needs your abilities.” She further noted: “A child has a short few years of time when you can get through to them.” The Unsung Hero award acknowledges volunteers in sports who significantly contribute to their communities. Regional winners also included 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). Last year, Des Smith, who chairs the Sheffield Caribbean Sports Club, received this award.