Former Jockey, actress and ITFC chief honoured.

East Anglian Daily Times - Thursday October 28, 2004.

An actress, a former jockey and a football club chairman are among the public figures to be awarded honorary degree's from one of the regions colleges.

More than 1,000 students have been their academic success at the graduation ceremonies at Suffolk College in Ipswich.

Among them was Bob Champion, the former jump jockey who touched the nations hearts with his battle against cancer, who was awarded an honary doctorate.

He successfully fought and overcame testicular cancer, going through debilitating treatment and suffering life-threatening septicaemia. After his recovery, he momorably won the Grand national in 1981 on Aldaniti.

Mr Champion, who has lived in Newmarket for 16 years, has also set up the Bob Chmapion Cancer Trust. It has raised £10 million to pay for a groundbreaking research laboratory that works for the treatment and ultimate eradication of male cancers.

Mr Champion, who left school at the age of 15 and became a jockey at 19 said "This is a great honour, I must admit I am delighted. It's almost as nerve-wracking coming her as riding the Grand National."

By Rebecca Sheppard.