A Champion Graduation for Bob

Bob Champion made national headlines in 1981 after winning the Grand National on Aldiniti. Bob’s victory was poignant, as two years previously he was diagnosed with cancer and given only eight months to live. After several months of chemotherapy he returned to racing and his Grand National triumph followed. Bob received the MBE in 1983, and in the same year formed the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, which has raised millions towards cancer research.

In recognition of his achievements, Bob will be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Teesside at 11am on Friday 25 November. He will receive his degree at Middlesbrough Town Hall from Lord Sawyer of Darlington, in his first ceremony as University Chancellor. Lord Sawyer was installed as Chancellor in April this year. The Honorary Graduates’ ceremony concludes this year’s academic awards ceremonies, which celebrate the University’s 75th anniversary.

Bob Champion has established links with the Tees Valley, as he was educated at Laurence Jackson School in Guisborough. He became a jockey in his teens, winning his first point-to-point aged 15. His life story was fictionalised in the 1983 film Champions, where he was portrayed by John Hurt.

There will be an opportunity to photograph / interview Bob and the other Honorary Graduates on Friday 25 November from 9.30am – 10.15am, at the fourth floor, Learning Resource Centre, Southfield Road, Middlesbrough. Call 01642 342962 for more details or e-mail pr@tees.ac.uk.

The other Honorary Graduates are:

Ms Geraldine Peacock CBE, Doctor of Laws. Ms Peacock lectured in Social Administration at Teesside Polytechnic in the mid-1970’s and went on to become Chief Executive of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. She is now Chair of the Charity Commission and has advised the government on a range of charity issues.

Mr Bryan Hanson OBE, Master of Laws. Mr Hanson is a former leader of Hartlepool Council, where he made a major contribution to local government. He is Chair of Cleveland College of Art & Design’s Board of Governors and Chair of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust.

Ms Hannana Siddiqui, Master of Arts. Ms Siddiqui grew up in the Tees Valley and is the founder and joint co-ordinator of the Southall Black Sisters. This national organisation supports Afro-Caribbean women on a range of major policy issues, including immigration law and domestic violence.

Mr Geoffrey Muirhead CBE, Doctor of Business Administration. Mr Muirhead is a Teesside Civil Engineering graduate. He started his career with British Steel and progressed to a number of senior positions with different companies in locations ranging from Belgium to Saudi Arabia. Mr Muirhead now works as Group Chief Executive of Manchester Airport Group.

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