A CHAMPION athlete has signed up as an ambassador for a children’s charity.

Hannah Cockroft will help promote the work of the Forget Me Not Trust Children’s Hospice.

The Halifax 19-year-old is only able to walk short distances after suffering two cardiac arrests just moments after she was born.

The former Calderdale College student suffers from weak hips and uses a wheelchair.

But Hannah won the 100m and 200m gold at this year’s Paralympic World Championships in New Zealand.

She said: “The hospice is a brilliant cause to support. Being disabled myself, it’s fantastic to be able to help other families and to be a role model.”

Hannah will help the hospice in between training for next year’s Paralympics in London.

She said: “Everyone is expecting double gold from me but it will be my first Olympics and I can’t be too confident.”

Hospice chief executive Peter Branson said yesterday that he was delighted Hannah had signed up as an ambassador for the charity.

“We’re very honoured,” he said.

“Hannah is an inspirational example to the children we care for. Sadly all of them have conditions which mean their lives will be short but we want them to reach their full potential.”