View source for BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award

{{Short description|Award for sport personalities with health problems}}
{{redirect|Helen Rollason Award| the Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration | Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox award
| name        = BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award
| presenter   = [[BBC Sports Personality of the Year]]
| country     = United Kingdom
| year        = {{Start date and age|1999}}
| holder      = [[Fatima Whitbread]] (2023)
| holder_label = Most recent winner
}}
The '''BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award''' is an award given annually as part of the [[BBC Sports Personality of the Year]] ceremony each December. The award is given “for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity”, and [[BBC Sport]] selects the winner.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/7735134.stm|title=Sports Personality voting & judging: Terms & conditions|date=18 November 2008|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=17 December 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081217234446/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/7735134.stm| archive-date= 17 December 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status=live}}</ref> The award is named after the [[BBC]] sports presenter [[Helen Rollason]], who died in August 1999 at the age of 43 after suffering from [[Colorectal cancer|cancer]] for two years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/bbc-sports-presenter-helen-rollason-dies-1111805.html|title=BBC sports presenter Helen Rollason dies|last=Marks|first=Kathy|date=10 August 1999|work=[[The Independent]]|publisher=[[Independent News & Media]]|access-date=25 January 2009|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304135002/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/bbc-sports-presenter-helen-rollason-dies-1111805.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=|title=BBC bravery award to remember Helen|last=Shannon|first=Sarah|date=4 November 1999 |work=[[Evening Standard]]|via=|access-date=}}</ref> Helen Rollason was the first female presenter of ''[[Grandstand (BBC)|Grandstand]]''. After being diagnosed with cancer, she helped raise over £5 million to set up a cancer wing at the [[North Middlesex Hospital]], where she received most of her treatment.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/388436.stm|title=Helen Rollason: Presenter with fighting spirit|date=10 August 1999|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 January 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090215161712/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/388436.stm| archive-date= 15 February 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status=live}}</ref>
The inaugural recipient of the award was [[horse trainer]] [[Jenny Pitman]], in 1999. Other winners include South African [[Paralympic]] [[Sprint (running)|sprinter]] [[Oscar Pistorius]], who won the award in 2007. Several recipients have not played a sport professionally, including [[Jane Tomlinson]], who won in 2002, [[Kirsty Howard]] (2004), Phil Packer (2009), [[Anne Williams (activist)|Anne Williams]], who received the award posthumously in 2013, and eight-year-old [[Bailey Matthews]] (2015). [[Michael Watson]], who won the award in 2003, had a career in boxing but was paralysed and almost killed in a title bout with [[Chris Eubank]]. He won the award for completing the [[London Marathon]], an accomplishment that took him six days.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/london_marathon_2003/2958573.stm|title=Poignant end to Watson's epic journey|last=Fordyce|first=Tom|date=19 April 2003|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=26 January 2009|archive-date=4 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070904224242/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/london_marathon_2003/2958573.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Former footballer [[Geoff Thomas (footballer born 1964)|Geoff Thomas]] won the award in 2005; he raised money by cycling the 2,200 miles (3,540.56&nbsp;km) of the [[2005 Tour de France]] course in the same number of days as the professionals completed it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/mtb/News2006/20060616_thomas_tackles_mtb.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203055410/http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/mtb/News2006/20060616_thomas_tackles_mtb.asp|archive-date=3 February 2007|title=Geoff Thomas Takes on the World of Mountain Biking|publisher=[[British Cycling]]|access-date=29 September 2010}}</ref> In 2006, [[Paul Hunter]] posthumously received the award; he died from dozens of [[malignant]] [[neuroendocrine tumor|neuroendocrine tumour]]s – his widow Lindsay accepted the award on his behalf.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6035879.stm|title=Hunter loses battle with cancer|date=9 October 2006|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 January 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081221005450/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/6035879.stm| archive-date= 21 December 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status=live}}</ref>
==Winners==
=== By year ===
[[File:Geoff Thomas.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Ex-footballer [[Geoff Thomas (footballer born 1964)|Geoff Thomas]], who won the award in 2005|alt=Head-and-torso photograph of Geoff Thomas standing in a lecture room wearing a grey chalk-stripe suit and waistcoat, and an open collared blue shirt]]
{|class="sortable plainrowheaders wikitable"
|+BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award winners
|-
!scope=col|Year
!scope=col|Nat.
!scope=col|Winner
!scope=col|Sport(s)
! scope="col" style="width:42%;"|Rationale
!scope=col class="unsortable"|Note
|-
|align=center|1999
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|{{sortname|Jenny|Pitman}}
|[[Horse racing]]
|for "one of [[National Hunt racing|national hunt]]'s greatest [[Horse trainer|trainers]]" who retired earlier in 1999 after suffering from [[Thyroid cancer|cancer]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/561724.stm|title=Lewis heads sporting honours|date=12 December 1999|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 January 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20021203152243/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/561724.stm| archive-date=December 3, 2002<!--DASHBot-->| url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/dec/12/rebeccaallison|title=Lack of ramp mars athlete's glory|last=Allison|first=Rebecca|date=12 December 2000|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=16 December 2008|archive-date=19 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019081331/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/dec/12/rebeccaallison|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2000
|{{flag|WAL}}
!scope=row|{{sortname|Tanni|Grey-Thompson}}
|[[Wheelchair racing|Athletics]]
|for winning "gold in the 100 m, 200 m, 400 m and 800 m events" at the [[2000 Summer Paralympics]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2000/sports_personality/1064725.stm|title=Redgrave voted Britain's best|date=10 December 2000|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 January 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081220193819/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2000/sports_personality/1064725.stm| archive-date=December 20, 2008<!--DASHBot-->| url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1377869/BBC-gaffe-over-award-for-disabled-athlete.html|title=BBC gaffe over award for disabled athlete|last=Eden|first=Richard|date=19 June 2001|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=16 December 2008|archive-date=29 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629184236/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1377869/BBC-gaffe-over-award-for-disabled-athlete.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2001
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|{{sortname|Ellen|MacArthur}}
|[[Sailing (sport)|Sailing]]
|for her courage in becoming fastest woman to circumnavigate the globe.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2000/sports_personality/1679645.stm|title=Ellen's tough voyage|date=7 December 2001|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 January 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081224160316/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2000/sports_personality/1679645.stm| archive-date= 24 December 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/3018433/Sports-Awards-Beckham-is-personality-of-2001.html|title=Sports Awards: Beckham is personality of 2001|date=9 December 2001|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=16 December 2008|archive-date=4 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904172630/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/3018433/Sports-Awards-Beckham-is-personality-of-2001.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2002
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|{{sortname|Jane|Tomlinson}}
|—{{ref label|Note01|n 1|n 1}}
|for completing "the [[London Marathon]], [[London Triathlon|a triathlon]] and the [[Great North Run]]" and raising money for [[Cancer Research]], after being diagnosed with [[breast cancer]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/special_events/sports_personality_2002/2539587.stm|title=Jane's fighting spirit|date=8 December 2002|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 January 2009|archive-date=17 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217215103/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/special_events/sports_personality_2002/2539587.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2005/mar/18/medicineandhealth.lifeandhealth|title='I have the right to live the way I want'|last=Seaton|first=Matt|date=18 March 2005|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=16 December 2008|archive-date=18 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918022701/http://www.theguardian.com/society/2005/mar/18/medicineandhealth.lifeandhealth|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2003
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|{{sortname|Michael|Watson}}
|[[Boxing]]
|for completing the [[London Marathon]] and "raising millions of pounds for the Brain and Spine Foundation", despite being told previously that "he would never walk again".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3318795.stm|title=Watson's epic fightback|date=14 December 2003|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 January 2009|archive-date=3 June 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603111650/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3318795.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2427004/Wilkinson-and-Redgrave-scoop-top-BBC-awards.html|title=Wilkinson and Redgrave scoop top BBC awards|last=Norton|first=Charlie|date=15 December 2003|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=16 December 2008|archive-date=4 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904172625/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2427004/Wilkinson-and-Redgrave-scoop-top-BBC-awards.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2004
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|{{sortname|Kirsty|Howard}}
|—{{ref label|Note02|n 2|n 2}}
|for raising money for poorly children in Francis House hospice through Kirsty's Appeal, despite having an [[Terminal illness|inoperable heart condition]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_2004/4084953.stm|title=Little Kirsty lands BBC honour|date=12 December 2004|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 January 2009|archive-date=16 March 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060316051809/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_2004/4084953.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/sports-awards-holmes-wins-bbc-sports-personality-of-the-year-685577.html |title=Sports Awards: Holmes wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year |last=Rowbottom |first=Mike |date=13 December 2004 |work=[[The Independent]] |publisher=[[Independent News & Media]] |access-date=16 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831144229/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/sports-awards-holmes-wins-bbc-sports-personality-of-the-year-685577.html |archive-date=August 31, 2009 }}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2005
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|{{sortname|Geoff|Thomas|Geoff Thomas (footballer born 1964)}}
|[[Association football|Football]]
|for raising "more than £150,000 for the [[Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research|Leukaemia Research]] charity" by cycling, following his own battle with [[Leukemia|the disease]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/4519272.stm|title=Sports Personality: The winners|date=11 December 2005|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 January 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071213110226/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/4519272.stm| archive-date=December 13, 2007<!--DASHBot-->| url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2370077/Thomas-makes-most-of-wheel-of-fortune.html|title=Thomas makes most of wheel of fortune|last=Philip|first=Robert|date=21 December 2005|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=16 December 2008|archive-date=31 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831182841/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2370077/Thomas-makes-most-of-wheel-of-fortune.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2006
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|{{sortname|Paul|Hunter}}
|[[Snooker]]
|awarded [[Posthumous recognition|posthumously]] "in recognition of his bravery and determination to continue playing while trying to beat [cancer]."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/6220542.stm|title=Sports Personality: The winners|date=10 December 2006|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=30 December 2008|archive-date=14 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214103922/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/6220542.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/phillips-is-surprise-winner-of-top-sports-personality-award-428036.html|title=Phillips is surprise winner of top Sports Personality award|last=Corrigan|first=James|date=11 December 2006|work=[[The Independent]]|publisher=[[Independent News & Media]]|access-date=15 December 2008|archive-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325090251/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/phillips-is-surprise-winner-of-top-sports-personality-award-428036.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2007
|{{flag|RSA}}
!scope=row|{{sortname|Oscar|Pistorius}}
|[[Sprint (running)|Athletics]]
|for his fight to be allowed to "race in both the [[2008 Summer Olympics|Olympics]] and the [[2008 Summer Paralympics|Paralympics]]" in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/7135700.stm|title=Calzaghe wins Sports Personality|date=9 December 2007|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 January 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081224143838/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/7135700.stm| archive-date= 24 December 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/2328004/Joe-Calzaghe-wins-BBC-Sports-Personality.html|title=Joe Calzaghe wins BBC Sports Personality|last=Clare|first=Richard|date=9 December 2007|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=15 December 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081207173831/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/2328004/Joe-Calzaghe-wins-BBC-Sports-Personality.html| archive-date= 7 December 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2008
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|{{sortname|Alastair|Hignell}}
|[[Cricket]], [[Rugby union]]
|for fundraising and raising awareness of [[multiple sclerosis]] since being diagnosed with the disease in 1999.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/7776321.stm|title=BBC award for commentator Hignell|date=14 December 2008|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 January 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090102020829/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/7776321.stm| archive-date= 2 January 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status=live}}</ref>
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2008/dec/14/sports-personality-year-2008|title=BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2008 – as it happened|last=Roughley|first=Gregg|date=14 December 2008|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=15 December 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081215074838/http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2008/dec/14/sports-personality-year-2008| archive-date= 15 December 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2009
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|Major {{sortname|Phil|Packer|Phil Packer}}
|—{{ref label|Note03|n 3|n 3}}
|for fundraising over £1.2 million for the [[Help for Heroes]] charity, despite being [[paraplegic]] since sustaining injuries in the [[Iraq War]].<ref name="Major"/>
|align=center|<ref name="Major">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/8409139.stm|title=Major Phil Packer wins Helen Rollason award |date=13 December 2009|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=13 December 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091218024135/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/8409139.stm| archive-date= 18 December 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2010
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|{{sortname|Frank|Williams|Frank Williams (Formula One)}}
|[[Formula One]]
|for founding the [[Williams Formula One]] team which has so far won nine constructors' titles and seven drivers' championships despite himself suffering an accident in 1986 in which he sustained a severe spinal cord injury.
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thef1times.com/news/display/02447|title=Sir Frank Williams honoured at BBC SPOTY awards|last=Ryan|first=Wood|date=19 December 2010|work=[[The F1 Times]]|access-date=19 December 2010|archive-date=21 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221220813/http://www.thef1times.com/news/display/02447|url-status=usurped}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2011
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|{{sortname|Bob|Champion}}
|[[Horse racing]]
|for beating cancer then winning the 1981 Grand National on Aldaniti, then raising money for The Bob Champion Cancer Trust.
|align=center|<ref>{{cite news |last=Keogh |first=Frank |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/sports_personality/15865950.stm |title=BBC Sport – Sports Personality: Bob Champion wins BBC's Helen Rollason award |publisher=BBC News |date=2011-12-18 |access-date=2011-12-22 |archive-date=2022-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325014714/https://www.bbc.com/sport/sports-personality/15865950 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2012
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|{{sortname|Martine|Wright}}
|[[Sitting volleyball]]
|for achieving selection for GB Sitting Volleyball team at the 2012 Summer Paralympics, having been "the most seriously injured person to survive" the 7/7 bombings the day after London was announced as host of those Games.
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|title=Sports Personality: Martine Wright wins Helen Rollason Award|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/20691586|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=16 December 2012|access-date=18 December 2017|archive-date=30 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830162831/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/20691586|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2013
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|[[Anne Williams (activist)|Anne Williams]]
|—
|awarded posthumously for campaigning for justice for [[Hillsborough disaster|Hillsborough]] victims.
|align=center|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/sports-personality/25357425|title=Anne Williams: BBC award for Hillsborough campaigner|publisher=BBC News|date=2013-12-15|access-date=2013-12-15|archive-date=2013-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215060942/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/sports-personality/25357425|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2014
| [[Invictus Games (multi-sport event)#Invited countries|14 countries]]
!scope=row|[[Invictus Games (multi-sport event)|Invictus Games]] Competitors
|[[Disability sport]]
| awarded for central contribution to the success of inaugural multi-sport event for injured military
|align=center|<ref>{{cite news|last=Watson|first=Jeremy|title=Stars of the first Invictus Games honoured by Prince Harry|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stars-of-the-first-invictus-games-honoured-by-prince-harry-zjblk8hjnn0|work=[[The Times]]|date=15 December 2014|access-date=18 December 2017|archive-date=25 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325014613/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stars-of-the-first-invictus-games-honoured-by-prince-harry-zjblk8hjnn0|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2015
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|[[Bailey Matthews]]
|[[Triathlon]]
| 8-year-old Bailey, who has [[cerebral palsy]], completed his first triathlon earlier in the year, throwing away his walking frame to complete the last 20 yards of the final running event on his own
|align=center|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/35146256|title=Sports Personality: Bailey Matthews wins the Helen Rollason award|publisher=BBC News|date=2015-12-20|access-date=2015-12-21|archive-date=2015-12-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221053707/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/35146256|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2016
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|Ben Smith
|Running
|for running 401 marathons in 401 days in order to raise funds and awareness for two anti bullying charities, Kidscape and Stonewall, inspiring thousands of people along the way including school children to whom he spoke and people who ran with him.
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|title=BBC Sports Personality 2016: Ben Smith receives Helen Rollason Award|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/38304281|work=BBC Sport|date=18 December 2016|access-date=18 December 2017|archive-date=25 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925060155/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/38304281|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2017
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|Bradley Lowery
|—
|awarded posthumously after he "captured hearts across the sporting world" during appearances as a mascot, while he had [[neuroblastoma]];  accepted by the Lowery family.
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|title=Bradley Lowery to be honoured at Sports Personality of the Year awards|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/bradley-lowery-bbc-sports-personality-of-the-year-awards-a8115146.html|work=[[The Independent]]|agency=[[Press Association]]|date=17 December 2017|access-date=18 December 2017|archive-date=20 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220235500/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/bradley-lowery-bbc-sports-personality-of-the-year-awards-a8115146.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2018
|{{Flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|[[Billy Monger]]
|[[Motorsport]]
|For returning to racing after a double leg amputation following a crash.
|align=center|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/46558092|title=Sports Personality of the Year: Billy Monger wins Helen Rollason Award|date=2018-12-16|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2018-12-17|language=en-GB|archive-date=2018-12-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217000722/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/46558092|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2019
|{{Flag|SCO}}
!scope=row|[[Doddie Weir]]
|[[Rugby union]]
|For raising awareness of [[motor neurone disease]] through his charitable foundation.
|align=center|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/50756013|title=Doddie Weir wins Helen Rollason Award at Sports Personality 2019|date=2019-12-15|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2019-12-15|language=en-GB|archive-date=2019-12-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214201728/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/50756013|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2020
|{{Flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|[[Captain Tom|Captain Sir Thomas Moore]]
|Walking
|For his fundrasing efforts in aid of [[NHS Charities Together]], raising over £30 million by walking 100 laps of his 25-metre garden before his 100th birthday.
|align=center|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/55330723|title=Captain Sir Tom Moore wins Helen Rollason Award at Sports Personality of the Year 2020|date=2020-12-12|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2020-12-12|archive-date=2020-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220204918/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/55330723|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2021
|{{Flag|SCO}}
!scope=row|[[Jen Beattie]]
|[[Association football|Football]]
| For continuing to play for both club and country after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
|align=center|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/59700073|title=Sports Personality 2021: Arsenal and Scotland defender Jen Beattie wins Helen Rollason Award|date=19 December 2021|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 December 2021|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219195417/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/59700073|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2022
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|[[Rob Burrow]]
|[[Rugby league]]
| For raising awareness of and fundraising for [[motor neurone disease]]
| align=center|<ref>{{cite news |title='This is for MND warriors' – Burrow & Sinfield honoured |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/64027090 |access-date=22 December 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=21 December 2022 |archive-date=21 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221233332/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sports-personality/64027090 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|align=center|2023
|{{flag|ENG}}
!scope=row|[[Fatima Whitbread]]
|[[Javelin throw|Athletics]]
| For her campaigning for children and those in the care system, after she spent the first fourteen years of her life in a children's home.
|align=center|<ref>{{Cite news |title='Her will to succeed was born from her will to survive' |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/sports-personality/67472734 |access-date=2023-12-20 |archive-date=26 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226202631/https://www.bbc.com/sport/sports-personality/67472734 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}
=== By nationality ===
This table lists the total number of awards won by recipients of each nationality, based on the principle of ''[[jus soli]]''.
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+Winners by nationality
|-
!scope=col|Nationality
!scope=col|Number of wins
|-
!scope=row|{{ENG}}
|align=center| 20
|-
!scope=row|{{SCO}}
|align=center| 2
|-
!scope=row|{{RSA}}
|align=center| 1
|-
!scope=row|{{WAL}}
|align=center| 1
|}
=== By sport ===
This table lists the total number of awards won by recipients' sporting profession.
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+Winners by sport
|-
!scope=col|Sporting profession
!Number of wins{{ref label|Note04|n 4|n 4}}
|-
!scope=row|[[Track and field athletics|Athletics]]
|align=center| 3
|-
!scope=row|[[Association football|Football]]
|align=center| 2
|-
!scope=row|[[Horse racing]]
|align=center| 2
|-
!scope=row|[[Boxing]]
|align=center| 1
|-
!scope=row|[[disability sport|Disability multi-sport]]
|align=center|1
|-
!scope=row|[[Formula One]]
| align=center|1
|-
!scope=row|[[Sailing (sport)|Sailing]]
|align=center| 1
|-
!scope=row|[[Snooker]]
|align=center|1
|-
!scope=row|[[Sitting volleyball]]
|align=center|1
|-
!scope=row|[[Cricket]]
|align=center| {{sort|0.5|½}}
|-
!scope=row|[[Rugby league]]
|align=center| 1
|-
!scope=row|[[Rugby union]]
|align=center| {{sort|1.5|1½}}
|-
!scope=row|[[Triathlon]]
|align=center|1
|- class="unsortable"
!scope=row|Other
|align=center|5
|}
==Notes==
* {{note label|Note01|n 1|n 1}} Jane Tomlinson was an amateur athlete who competed in [[marathon]]s, and [[triathlon]]s – these represent sporting disciplines of [[Track and field athletics|athletics]], [[swimming (sport)|swimming]], and [[cycle sport|cycling]].
* {{note label|Note02|n 2|n 2}} Kirsty Howard was the [[mascot]] accompanying [[David Beckham]] for the [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)#Group 9|FIFA World Cup qualifier]] against Greece and later became the final carrier in the [[Queen's Baton Relay]] for the [[2002 Commonwealth Games]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/commonwealthgames2002/hi/front_page/front_page_news/newsid_2149000/2149639.stm|title=Brave Kirsty given baton honour|last=Lindsay|first=Clive|date=24 July 2002|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 January 2009|archive-date=1 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201170655/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/commonwealthgames2002/hi/front_page/front_page_news/newsid_2149000/2149639.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{note label|Note03|n 3|n 3}} Major Phil Packer raised money by rowing across the [[English Channel]], completing the [[London Marathon]], and [[Mountaineering|climbing]].<ref name="Major"/>
* {{note label|Note04|n 4|n 4}} The fractions refer to [[Alastair Hignell]], who played cricket professionally and rugby union at the top level.
==References==
{{refbegin}}
'''General'''
* {{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/keyfacts/stories/spoty_more.shtml|title=Sports Personality Of The Year: more winners|date=December 2007|publisher=BBC|access-date=30 December 2008|archive-date=23 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223090732/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/keyfacts/stories/spoty_more.shtml|url-status=live}}
'''Specific'''
{{refend}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{SPOTY}}
{{featured list}}
[[Category:BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards|Helen Rollason]]
[[Category:Awards established in 1999]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in the United Kingdom]]