Bethany gets Honorary Doctorate at graduation

Bethany gets Honorary Doctorate at graduation

12 July 2017

SEAFORDE Paralympic gold medallist Bethany Firth MBE has received an Honorary Doctorate at Queen’s University Belfast.

A four time gold medallist, Bethany was awarded the doctorate for distinction in sport.

Bethany, who has a learning difficulty that causes short term memory loss, was Team GB’s most successful medal winner at last summer’s Paralympics in Rio where she won three golds and one silver.

She added those to a gold medal won when competing for Ireland at the previous Paralympic games.

She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year’s Honours list for services to swimming.

Speaking after the graduation ceremony at Queen’s, Bethany said is was an honour to share the day with fellow graduates.

“You can achieve anything that you want if you put your mind to it,” she said.  “I really believe that and I hope my fellow graduates today achieve everything they have dreamed of. It is quite an honour to receive an Honorary Doctorate from Queen’s University Belfast.”