Masters for mother and degree for daughter!

Linda Sidgwick graduates from the University of Teesside this afternoon at Middlesbrough Town Hall with a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Health Sciences. After her ceremony, she will be going straight back to the Town Hall, only this time to sit in the audience and see her daughter Gemma Codd graduate with a Business degree!

Linda, 50, from Guisborough works for two Health Trusts as a Community Physiotherapist. She enrolled on the part-time MSc three years ago. Linda said: “I love my job and chose the MSc to back up the academic side of my profession. It’s been a big challenge, having not studied since the 1970’s but I feel more confident.”

Linda now lectures part-time at the University and has also worked as one of the Physiotherapists to the UK’s Special Olympics team since 1999. In her role Linda has joined the team in North Carolina, Dublin, Holland, Cardiff and Glasgow.

Linda said: “It’s lovely that Gemma and I are graduating on the same day, we’ve both worked very hard and can share this together. I was a bit worried that Gemma would think I was stealing her thunder, but she doesn’t at all. I’ll be cooking a big meal for all the family tonight to celebrate.”

Gemma, 23, will graduate with a BA degree in Business Administration. She said: “My Grandma Iris Beveridge is hoping to go to both ceremonies; she’s proud of her daughter and grand-daughter. My Dad Steve’s really happy for us both, he also graduated from Teesside in the 80’s with a Masters degree. I’m really pleased we’re getting our degrees on the same day, it will make it so much more special for both of us.”

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