30 July 2024

University of Westminster awards Honorary Doctorate to Tanni, Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE

Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE, Paralympian and Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords, has been made an Honorary Doctor of Science at the University of Westminster.

Top row from left to right: Dibyesh Anand, Thomas Moore and Natalie Campbell and bottom row from left to right: Peter Bonfield and Tanni Grey-Thompson

On 26 July Baroness Grey-Thompson was welcomed to the University of Westminster to receive her Honorary Doctorate. She is known as one of Britain’s greatest Paralympic athletes and has participated in five Paralympic Games and won 11 gold, four silver and one bronze medal.

She first discovered a love for sport when she was in school. She eagerly tried out a variety of different activities until she realised at the age of 13 that her heart belonged to Wheelchair Racing. She won the Junior National title over 100m and became part of the British Wheelchair Racing Squad at 17. From then on, she went from strength to strength, participating in multiple competitions, winning numerous medals and breaking 30 World Records. 

While she retired from competing, her involvement in sport continued. She currently is a Board Member of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and has previously been on the Board of the London Marathon, the Sportsaid Foundation and Join In. Her commitment to sport was recognised in 2005 when she was given a Damehood.

In 2010 she became an Independent Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords, taking the title Baroness Grey-Thompson of Eaglescliffe in the County of Durham. Since then, she has used her position to speak on issues such as disability rights, welfare reform and sport.

Baroness Grey-Thompson said: "It was a lovely day, and I'm grateful to be part of the Westminster family." 

Find out about last year’s Honorary Doctorates.

 

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