Paralympic Hero Awarded Freedom Of Cheshire East

Macclesfield's quadruple medal winning Paralympian, Menna Fitzpatrick, has been awarded the freedom of Cheshire East.

The visually impaired Alpine skier won a gold, two silvers and a bronze at the recent winter Paralympics in PeyongChang. 

Menna, 20, was presented the scroll of honour by the newly elected mayor of Cheshire East, Councillor Lesley Smetham. 

Menna attended the ceremony at Tatton Park’s Tenants’ Hall with mum Mair, other family members and school friends from Fallibroome Academy.

Staff from the council’s sensory inclusion service, who also supported Menna on her journey to Paralympic glory, also attended the event. 

The presentation to Menna was the highlight of the mayor-making ceremony, attended by council members and civic dignitaries, including the High Sheriff of Cheshire Alexis Redmond.

Councillor Smetham said: “I am looking forward to working with you all in a non-partisan spirit of co-operation and mutual respect, as we focus at full council on opportunities for making the best decisions possible for our residents within the constraints of the tough times that we are undoubtedly facing.

“In spite of much that is said and written in the media, there is a lot of good news to share about our council.  Cheshire East is special for us and council has achieved much, not only since its inception in 2009 but especially during the past year or two."

If you want to see what it is really like for Menna to ski with so little vision then you can watch the video ‘seelikemenna’ here.