SHE spends her time teaching the budding gymnasts of tomorrow.

Now a Hampshire resident is one of only five people shortlisted in a competition to find the country’s ‘Most Deserving Sports Hero’.

Barbara Dimmer, from Fareham, has been an integral figure at Fareham School of Gymnastics since it began ten years ago.

Her daughter returned from completing a sports science degree and teaching gymnastics in Shaftsbury wanting to set up her own gymnastics club in 2004.

Barbara, a qualified teacher, initially took on the role as club secretary dealing with administration.

The club has grown from just four members then to 420.

As it grew, Barbara trained as a coach and now coaches every night of the week, some Saturday mornings, and is always present at competitions and displays, while supporting development of junior coaches.

And all this has been done while fighting cancer and diabetes.

She was nominated for the high standards in everything she does and for sacrificing her time for the club.

Barbara also won British Gymnastics Volunteer of the year award last year.

The Most Deserving Sports Hero award, run by Motors.co.uk, recognises commitment to sport and helping others.

The winner gets a £250 donation to their sporting cause and a Vauxhall Zafira worth £4,000.

Barbara Dimmer said it was a “wonderful surprise” to have been shortlisted: “There must be so many deserving people.

“It is not only an accolade for me but also for Fareham School of Gymnastics and British Gymnastics who have provided the platform for nomination.”

Voting ends today at midnight. Visit motors.co.uk/most-deserving/sports to vote.