At the Mountbatten Centre Portsmouth recently Winchester's Alan Coveney received the UKA Regional Volunteer of the Year Award for his services to Athletics.

The region covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Oxfordshire and the Channel Islands.

Alan, a modest man by any standards, not only puts in many hours of coaching and administration work for Winchester Athletic Club but also organises the 'Race for Hope' event in May each year, raising funds for medical research.

Many thousands of pounds have benefited this charity over the past few years.

Alan took over organisation and coaching of the road running section seven years ago.

From small beginnings it has now become the most successful section of the club, turning out 40 to 50 runners in most races.

The distinctive black and gold vest of Winchester can be seen throughout the UK and indeed Europe, winning County, Area and National Championships.