PARALYMPIC champion Hannah Cockroft has another award to add to her two gold medals.
The inspirational athlete was awarded the freedom of the Borough of Calderdale on Saturday.
She received the honour at a ceremony at the town hall in her home town of Halifax.
She was also asked to switch the town’s Christmas lights on later the same day – when thousands of her fellow Calderdale residents cheered her on.
Wheelchair racer Cockroft, who has cerebral palsy, won two gold medals in the women’s T34 100m and 200m wheelchair sprints.
She described it as a “huge honour” and said: “I love the fact that it means part of me will be in Calderdale forever.
“No matter where in the world I travel to, it means I will never forget where I’ve come from and the people who got me where I am today.”
The council said the decision to award Cockroft with the accolade was unanimous.
Calderdale says she is being recognised for her “eminent services” to the borough, which includes her work as an ambassador for the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice in Brackenhall.
Calderdale mayor, Clr John Hardy, said: “The people of Calderdale are extremely proud of Hannah, not just for her outstanding athletic achievements but also for her continued hard work in the community.
“The highest honour reflects the admiration we all have for Hannah.”
Since Hannah’s scintillating success her home town has not fought shy of garlanding her with honours.
Last month Calderdale College said it wanted to recognise its former student’s achievements and named one of its halls after her.
In May Hannah became the first person to set a world record in the Olympic Stadium, which she did in the 100m.
She also carried the Olympic Torch through Brighouse during the national relay.
