Paralympic gold winner made freeman of village

Gregg Stevenson holds his medal as he stands between the Mayor of Pendle, councillor Mohammad Aslam, who is wearing his ceremonial chain, and councillor Kevin Salter. All three men are smartly dressed and smiling.Image source, Pendle Council
Image caption,

Stevenson said earlier it was "pretty incredible" to receive the honour for his medal success

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A commando turned Paralympian has officially become a freeman of his village.

Gregg Stevenson and his partner Lauren Rowles claimed gold in the mixed double sculls at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris in September.

Stevenson, from Foulridge in east Lancashire, lost both his legs in an explosion while serving as a Royal Engineer Commando in Afghanistan 15 years ago.

He was presented with the freeman of Foulridge certificate in front of a packed crowd at the village hall.

Image source, PA Media
Image caption,

Gregg Stevenson and his partner claimed gold in the mixed double sculls at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris

He thanked residents and local HM Forces Groups who turned up for the presentation of a certificate.

The Mayor of Pendle, councillor Mohammad Aslam, said: “To have a Paralympic gold medal winner in Pendle is an outstanding privilege and it is wonderful that Foulridge Parish Council has honoured Gregg in this way.”

Stevenson, who took his gold medal along with him to the event, said earlier it was "pretty incredible" to receive the honour.

Stevenson's rowing partner Rowles, from Worcestershire, made Paralympic history at the Paris games by winning her third Paralympic gold medal.

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