Eight-time Paralympic champion Sophie Christiansen was presented with the Channel 4 Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Variety Disability Sports Awards last week.
Sophie, who announced her retirement from competitive sport last month, was one of 12 winners at the ceremony which was held at sohoplace Theatre in London on Monday 25 November.
“I came here tonight to celebrate so many amazing other people, not expecting anything myself so, it’s incredible to have won and took me totally by surprise,” said Sophie.
“Sport has really changed my life, but obviously it takes a whole team to help a disabled child get there, from parents to volunteers, fundraising for new wheelchairs or, in my case, a horse!
“I know the real benefit of spreading awareness of how important sport is. It teaches you so many great things. It teaches you to step out of your comfort zone and dare to believe in what you’re able to do.”
Celebrating a glittering career
Sophie, who has cerebral palsy, was a stalwart of the GB para dressage team for 20 years, representing her country at four Paralympic Games. She won 24 European, World and Paralympic gold medals.
The Variety Disability Sports Awards, which were hosted by comedian and presenter Adam Hills on behalf of Variety, the Children’s Charity, are the UK’s only annual awards exclusively celebrating and championing achievements in disability sports at all levels.
Awards were presented in 12 categories with winners shortlisted by Variety’s expert committee after being nominated by partner national sport bodies, with certain award winners specially selected by Variety, Channel 4, and ParalympicsGB.
The event also saw the launch of Variety’s Voices for Change advocacy campaign, which will work with children and young people across the UK to highlight the challenges faced by disabled and disadvantaged children in accessing sports.
Other award winners included record-breaking British Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett and Lloyd Martin, who became the youngest person with an intellectual impairment to complete a marathon at the TCS London Marathon in April.
