The BBC’s Unsung Hero award for the North East and Cumbria has been won by cycling coach Steve Binks, who has been inspiring children and adults at Cleveland Wheelers for more than 40 years.

Steve and the other 14 regional winners from across the UK – including Glasgow-based Breeze champion Rachael Halifax - will now go into the running for the overall Unsung Hero award, which will be announced as part of the BBC’s annual Sports Personality of the Year programme on December 18.

Having been involved with the sport since the age of 14, Steve became a committee member at Cleveland Wheelers in 1973, taking on a variety of roles in over four decades at the heart of the club.

An event organiser, coach, marshal – including at the 1990 Junior Road World Championships – and official, Steve was also involved with Middlesbrough Council in organising supporting events when the town hosted the Tour de Yorkshire, and was instrumental in incorporating a cycling circuit at the Middlesbrough Sports Village.

Steve said:

“It’s been my life, so to be nominated for the Unsung Hero award gave me such a feeling of pride. It was like a big ‘thank you’ from everybody that I’ve tried to help over the year – it’s lovely to know that people respect you for what you’ve done.

“To win the regional award was the icing on the cake. I’m looking forward to attending Sports Personality of the Year, but it’s not about winning the main award. To be surrounded by all the athletes on the night will be fantastic – I would particularly like to meet the Kennys.”

Back in September, Steve stepped down from the Cleveland Wheelers committee after 43 years’ service. However, he admits that he will find it almost impossible to tear himself away from the sport that has dominated his life for over four decades, and is planning a project which will help the parents of the club’s young riders get more involved with their children’s racing.