A PATRON of a Colchester-based charity has received the BBC Sports Personality’s Helen Rollason award.

Alastair Hignell, a former rugby union player for England, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999.

Since then he has been heavily involved with fundraising for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC).

He said: “I feel so honoured to be named alongside the previous winners and Helen Rollason herself.”

The award was presented by former England coach Sir Clive Woodward and former Wasps captain Lawrence Dallaglio.