Corsham salutes Stephanie (From Wiltshire Times)

Corsham salutes Stephanie

12:00pm Saturday 9th March 2013 in Latest News By Adam Care

Hundreds of people lined the streets of Corsham on Saturday to honour five-time Paralympic medal-winner Stephanie Millward.

The former Corsham School pupil – who was on course to compete in the Olympics before being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis – was given the freedom of the town in a ceremony outside the town hall, after leading a parade of local schoolchildren down the High Street.

She said: “Thank you all so much for coming and watching today, it’s a great honour.

“When I was at the Para-lympics it was a massive boost to know you were all supporting me all the way, and it’s lovely to show that part of me will always be in Corsham, and it will always be my home.”

Miss Millward, 31, was presented with a scroll and an engraved silver salver by council chairman Peter Anstey.

He said: “Steph has shown an outstanding achievement that requires commitment at the highest level, but she has never forgotten her roots. Not only did she show us what is possible last summer but she returns regularly to Corsham and has been exemplary in inspiring and helping coach young people.”

The ‘opening ceremony’ which followed the parade was co-ordinated by students from Corsham School, who worked with children from the town’s primary schools to prepare the display which featured football, hockey, and a New Zealand-style haka.

Sarah Maggs, from Corsham, was watching the parade. She said: “My eldest daughter is one of the sports leaders, so has been working for this with her school. It’s a lovely local event, and they have taken a lot of time and effort to get all this ready.

“Steph comes along to lots of the school things, so it’s great to see her get this recognition.”

Jo Fenn, from Corsham, said: “It was really nice. My son Paddy has met her and had her medals round his neck a couple of times. She’s always so keen to talk to the kids and share them round, she really gets the kids involved.

“She seems like a lovely person, so we came along to give her a cheer.”