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Paralympic honour for Malin Head
woman
12.12.16
AN Inishowen-born
Paralympian has been honoured after receiving The
Irish Paralympic Order at The Irish Paralympics
Awards.
Angela Hendra was recognised "as arguably one of
Ireland's most successful Paralympians", having won
numerous medals in table tennis and lawn bowls at
national, European and world level.
Ms Hendra was born in Malin Head but moved to Derry
at the age of 10. Two years later she was diagnosed
with a tumour on the spine and spent fifteen months
at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire,
England, the 'birthplace of the Paralympic Games'.
While receiving treatment under the care of Ludwig
Guttman, the ‘father of the Paralympic Games’, she
developed a strong interest in sport. |
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Angela Hendra is presented with The
Irish Paralympic Order by Paralmypics Ireland
president Jimmy Gradwell. |
She played an active
role in the work of numerous voluntary organisations
including the Northern Ireland Paraplegic
Association; Irish Wheelchair Association; British
Wheelchair Sports Foundation; the Centre for
Independent Living and Wheelchair Bowls Northern
Ireland.
Awarded an MBE in 1991, the Bangor-based award
winner is also a former member of the Sports Council
for Northern Ireland.
She currently dedicates her life to improving the
lives of people with disabilities in society and in
sport and is a founding member and current vice
chair of Disability Sport NI.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my competitive years as a
Paralympian and have equally enjoyed my many years
in voluntary sports administration. It gives me
great pleasure to see how sport transforms the lives
of disabled people," the delighted honouree said. |
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