A PARALYMPIC gold medallist, an international journalist and the project director for Bradford’s City Park are among the people who will be given honorary degrees from Bradford University next week.

Hannah Cockroft, who won the nation’s heart with her thrilling performance in the 2012 London games will be granted the honour at a ceremony next Thursday, and will be joined by seven other people who the university feels have provided “valuable” contributions to local and international communities.

Others include Orla Guerin, international correspondent for the BBC, famous for covering the war in Kosovo and engineer Mark Fletcher, who led the £24 million City Park project.

Double gold medal winning Hannah Cockroft was born in Halifax and is currently studying for a sports level 2 diploma at Calderdale College.

After suffering two heart attacks shortly after her birth that caused brain damage, doctors said she would never walk and it was unlikely she would live beyond her teenage years. She won gold in the 100 metres T34 and 200 metres T34 wheelchair sprint at the London games.

She will receive a Doctorate from the University for her achievements in athletics on Thursday’s ceremony.

Orla Guerin joined the BBC in 1995, and made a name for herself during the Kosovo conflict. She put her life in danger reporting to the world about the crisis, which led to her expulsion from thecapital, Pristina, by Serb forces.

Mark Fletcher, gets a doctor of engineering for his work in design and water management. He leads the Global Water Business in Arup and was the project director for City Park – the largest man-made water feature of its kind in the UK and a centrepiece of the city.

Diana Chambers, a former head teacher at Skipton Girls’ School, will receive a doctorate of education for her contribution to secondary and further education. She became Pro-Chancellor of the University of Bradford in 2007.

Jacqueline Ann Gerrard, the Royal College of Midwives director for England, will be made doctor of the university for her role in supporting midwives and student midwives across England and shaping national policy.

Professor Jim Al-Khalili, author of science books and a presenter, will receive a doctorate of science for his success as a science communicator in broadcast media and publishing.

Dean Royles will become a Doctor of the University for continuously speaking out against domestic violence and becoming the first male business champion for the Corporate Alliance Against Domestic Violence.

Financial journalist Alex Brummer will receive a doctorate for being one of the country’s leading financial journalists and commentators. He worked at the Guardian before moving to be City Editor at the Daily Mail in 2000.

The ceremonies take place in the University’s Great Hall on July 16, 17 and 18.