The surprise presentation was made to Terry Dennis, the coach and founder of Dorset Demons Wheelchair Basketball Club, by BBC South sports editor Lewis Coombes.

Terry had been told that BBC South was visiting the Poole-based club to film the players in action, and he was unaware that Lewis Coombes was going to spring the award on him.

On receiving his award Terry said: “I wasn’t expecting that at all. I am immensely proud.”

He told Dorset View: “There’s simply not enough chances for disabled adults to access sport in Dorset. It’s been a lot of hard work over the years trying to improve that and provide more opportunities. It’s lovely to be recognised for giving back to my community.”

Disabled when he was a teenager, Terry has given back to his local community in many ways working tirelessly to create opportunities for disabled people to participate in sport in the county.

In the 1990s he helped ensure there were three wheelchair basketball teams in Dorset. He carried out fundraising, played and became a coach. He then took on wheelchair fencing and was part of the GB team reaching 15th in the world and 2nd in GB in his disability class and gaining bronze in the European championships.

Terry volunteered his time as a coach to introduce fencing to local children and the local university.

He also gained funding to set up Wessex Accessible Cycling Club, bringing in lots of paracycles for disabled people to use at Moors Valley Country Park. He again became a coach and took people out on rides to work with them and build their confidence. The club is still going strong today and helps many people go cycling with their family and friends and gain freedom.

Terry’s wife, Charlie, said: “Even though he’s been battling some nasty health issues over the last few years that hasn’t stopped him. After finding out there were no more wheelchair basketball teams in the area Terry set up a team called Dorset Demons. He set this up after the pandemic to give physically disabled adults who had been sheltering the chance to get back out into the community, socialise again and do some physical activity. He’s managed to set up the club, become chairman, head coach and gain over £20,000 in funding to ensure team members have safe and good sports chairs to compete in. He’s now set himself a new fundraising goal to gain even more equipment for the club.”

Charlie added with a smile, “You can’t say no to Terry.”

Based in Poole, Dorset Demons has grown so much that the team is now entering competitive leagues including the British Wheelchair Basketball Inspire league.

Things are looking extremely positive for Dorset Demons after having their first competitive games last summer and gaining their first ever trophy even though the competitors were extremely tough.

Charlie added: “Members have told us that it’s not just improved their physical health and their confidence but it’s also helped their mental health too. None of this would be possible without Terry’s nonstop dedication to disability sport in Dorset.”

Terry is due to attend the live Sports Personality of the Year awards in Manchester on 19 December where the 15 regional winners will find out who will win the National unsung hero award.