Malin Head born Paralympic medallist awarded The Irish Paralympic Order

Angela Hendra, MBE being presented The Irish Paralympic Order by Jimmy Gradwell, President of Paralympics Ireland.

The award presented to Angela Hendra, MBE, recognises her illustrious career in sport as arguably one of Ireland’s most successful Paralympians - winning numerous medals at a national, European and World level in both table Tennis and Lawn Bowls.

Speaking of her delight at receiving the award, Angela commented: “I was surprised and delighted to receive this prestigious award from Paralympics Ireland. I thoroughly enjoyed my competitive years as a Paralympian and have equally enjoyed my many years in voluntary sports administration.

“It gives me great pleasure to see how sport transforms the lives of disabled people”.

Having carved out her own sporting success, Angela now dedicates her life to improving the position of people with disabilities in society and in sports and was awarded an MBE in 1991.

Angela is a founding member, former chair and current vice chair of Disability Sport NI, a charity set up in 1998 to tackle the underrepresentation of people with disabilities in sport. Under Angela’s leadership the charity has grown to represent the vast majority of disability sports groups in Northern Ireland and now run sports programmes and services which annually benefit up to 15,000 people across Northern Ireland.

Disability Sport NI Chief Executive, Kevin O’Neil commented on the charity’s delight at

Angela receiving such deserved recognition.

“The award rightly celebrates Angela’s fantastic success as a Paralympian, but probably more importantly it recognises the pivotal role she has played in the development of disability sport in Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland over the last 40 years.”