When Cherry Alexander learned she had been nominated for the award as the Unsung Hero Award, she was shaking her head and muttering the words: “Why me?, why me?”

It was for those exact reasons that she was here collecting an honour for her work behind the scenes as one of the most pivotal figures in track and field in Britain. But it was typical of Alexander that she could not see of how her efforts were beyond the call of duty.

Alexander, 46, is the Head Of International Competition at UK Athletics (UKA), but such is her passion for her job and her sport that she never says 'No'. Should an athlete lose their travel documents before an event, she will be there to help; should an athlete need their clothes cleaned at a Championship, she will be there to rush them to the launderette so they can concentrate on their race.

It is no wonder she is known as the 'mum' of the team. "I am there to make sure everything goes smoothly for them before an event - even if means helping with their washing," Alexander said as she celebrated her award today.

Liz Birchall, a member of the media department at UKA, summed Alexander up: “Within the space of a week Cherry could attend a major international athletics conference, come back to go straight into the office for a meeting about the UK Championships, then organise a meeting of the technical committee of officials, arrange another meeting for the National Junior League, sort out the paperwork for an athlete applying for a passport - and then attend a league athletics event.”

Typically, Alexander, who originates from South Shields and is the mother of 11-year-old twin boys – never mind the 60-odd members of the British athletics team who also call her that - takes it all in her stride, always putting others first.

Take a normal international meeting such as in Glasgow this summer when athletes were all arriving in Scotland at virtually the same time. One of the first people they would see is Alexander - thinking of only their needs.

"Basically, we get them from A to B: from their home to the hotel, we sort out their contracts, their prize money, that they know all about the event, we looking after their coaches," Alexander said. "We make sure everything moves as smoothly as possible, so their only worry is their competition.”

David Moorcroft, the former 5000m world record-holder and former Chief Executive of UKA, said: "There isn't another person I know in sport who is more deserving of an award as an unsung hero. Cherry is an exceptional woman.

"She has outstanding professional skills and commitment and her personality, optimism, concern for others and work ethic are an inspiration to all who work with and know her.”

Why her? It is easy to understand why her.

Also nominated: Elaine McKenna (Co-ordinator for the Great Britain Special Olympics football squads); Naomi Pallier (swimming coach at Runnymede pool in Castle Point, Essex).

Presented by: Louise Martin, Glasgow 2014

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