Top skier Menna hits summit with award
BLIND skier Menna Fizpatrick from Manchester last night received the Disabled Sportsperson Award at the star-studded Mirror’s Pride of Sport Awards.
The awards, in partnership with TSB and which are backed by Sport England, celebrate and recognise the unsung heroes of grassroots sport and honour people who have gone the extra mile to help others achieve their goals and those who have triumphed against adversity
Menna was jointly recognised with fellow blind skier Millie Knight, from Scotland. Together, they brought home seven medals between them from the 2018 Paralympics in Pyeongchang.
Menna and Millie, both 19, along with their sighted guides Jen Kehoe and Brett Wild, won one gold, four silver and two bronze medals between them at the games, reaching Team GB’s target by themselves.
Menna learned to ski when she was five and is the team’s most decorated Paralympian. She was born with congenital retinal folds and has no vision in her left eye and limited vision in her right eye. Millie, the youngest person to compete in the 2014 Olympics at just 15 years old, lost most of her vision as a child because of roundworm parasite.
Ben Shephard, who hosted the awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London, said: “I love grassroots sport, and the way it brings people of all ages together. The joy of sport, whether that’s the exhilaration of winning, or the sheer fun of playing a game with friends, is a wonderful thing to share. Pride of Sport celebrates everyone who makes grassroots sport happen, and I’m delighted to be a part of it.”
Pete Markey, chief marketing officer for TSB, said “TSB is incredibly proud of our continued partnership with both Pride of Britain and Pride of Sport. We believe in people helping people, and the communities they live in, to thrive.
“Pride of Sport celebrates those who have used sport to make a positive difference to people and the communities they are a part of, up and down the country. It represents our nation’s local sporting heroes; people from the grassroots of sport, who’ve achieved something extraordinary for themselves, their friends and families, and for their communities.
“It’s fantastic to pay tribute to these incredible nominees and winners, who have inspired us all.”
To find out more about the Pride of Sport Awards 2018, visit: www. prideofsportawards.co.uk