Civic honours to be awarded to two prominent Croydon sportspeople next week

Two Croydon sportspeople are to be honoured with the highest award the council can give at a special meeting next week.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson, and four-time Olympian Donna Fraser, who both grew up in Croydon, will be granted Freedom of the Borough at a special council meeting on Monday (3 December).

Roy was born in Croydon and attended John Ruskin Grammar School, playing for their school football team. In a career spanning more than 40 years, he has managed the likes of Switzerland, Inter Milan, Copenhagen, Fulham, Liverpool and England. He was nominated by councillor Tony Newman, leader of Croydon Council, for his contribution to Croydon and football both at home and abroad.

Donna grew up in Thornton Heath and was a pupil at Winterbourne Junior Girls School, St Mary’s Catholic High School and Croydon College. She raced for the Croydon Harriers Athletics Club until her retirement in 2009. Donna has competed at four Olympic Games and won gold at the 1991 European Junior Championship in Greece. She also medalled at World and European Championships, as well as the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Donna has been an ambassador for charity Breast Cancer Now following a diagnosis with the illness in 2009. The 45-year-old also held the position of President of the South of England Athletics Association between 2013 and 2015. She is now a Trustee for both the London Marathon Charitable Trust and the Women’s Sport Trust as well as UK Athletics’ Vice President and Equality, Diversity and Engagement Lead.

Donna’s success as an athlete, as well as an ambassador for many organisations and communities, led to her nomination from Councillor Newman.

“We’re delighted that both Roy and Donna will be at the Town Hall next week to receive these special awards.

“They are hugely significant figures and role models, not only for people in Croydon, but across the country.

“I’m really looking forward to Monday and being able to champion these two very important people.”

Councillor Tony Newman, leader of the council

2018-11-28T09:29:49+00:00 November 28th, 2018|Recent news|