A PARALYMPIC hero is among three people to have received a town’s highest honour.
Middlewich Town Council has awarded the Freedom of the Town to Linda Boden, Jean Eaton and three-time gold medal winner, Poppy Maskill.
They were presented with the honour by the mayor of Middlewich, Cllr Simon Whittaker, earlier this month.
He said: “It was a great opportunity to celebrate three amazing individuals.
“It is the highest award the town can bestow on one of its residents to say thank you.
“It doesn’t give them any special privileges apart from, I think, they can drive sheep or geese up the Middlewich main street on certain days of the year!
“All three are worthy recipients and all for different reasons.”
Linda’s son, Andrew Cliffe, was just 26-years-old when he died in his sleep in 2006, as a result of a cardiac arrest.
Since then, Linda has devoted her time to campaigning for SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Death) UK.
Her efforts have resulted in defibrillators being installed at many of the town's pubs, as well as several schools and shops.
Cllr Whittaker added: “Her son’s death must have been mortifying but from that she has brought a positive to the town and there’s probably not a better place to have a heart attack.
“What she has done has the potential to save so many lives.”
Jean, meanwhile, has dedicated five decades of her life to supporting the Middlewich community.
Among other things, the former councillor has volunteered with the Wych Centre, Middlewich Scouts and helped to resurrect the Middlewich Rose Fete.
Last but not least, Poppy was ParalympicGB’s most successful athlete at the 2024 games.
She won three gold medals, two silver medals and set a world record in the 100m butterfly S14.
In recognition of her success, she was given the honour of being a flagbearer at the closing ceremony.
On Saturday (November 9), Poppy, Jean and Linda were presented with Freedom of the Town.
Mid Cheshire MP Andrew Cooper, who was in attendance for the historic occasion, said: “It was an honour to attend Middlewich Town Council's Freedom of the Town ceremony at the weekend.
“Congratulations to Linda Boden, Jean Eaton, and Poppy Maskill!”
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