A Macclesfield athlete has been recognised as an Honorary Freewoman of the town - and is one of the youngest to ever receive the accolade.

Menna Fitzpatrick (24) has congenital retinal folds, meaning that she has had no vision in her left eye, and just five per cent vision in her right.

This did not stop her from going on to be a a para-alpine skier, and collecting six Winter Paralympic Medals in four years.

She has won more Winter Paralympic medals than any athlete in Team GB's history, winning six between 2018 and 2022.

Macclesfield resident Menna Fitzpatrick taking a selfie with Guide Jennifer Kehoe. (Image - CC 4.0 bit.ly/3Fvh4Hs Unchanged 01F1)

While Menna was awarded an Honorary Freewoman in March 2019, her tight schedule and the pandemic meant she was never able to be officially awarded the title in person.

Menna had just menna had one gold, two silver and one bronze at the time, before going on to win another silver and bronze in South Korea's Paralympics earlier this year.

On Monday, Macclesfield Town Councillor's Janet Jackson MBE and Mayor David Edwardes finally met with Menna to present her with her special certificate.

She spoke candidly with Macclesfield Nub News about her successful career this far.

It is all smiles for six-time medal winner Menna Fitzpatrick, pictured with Macclesfield Mayor and Tytherington Resident Cllr David Edwardes. (Image - Macclesfield Town Council)

"I'm so proud that I can make the town and the country proud", she said.

"When a reporter first told me in an interview that I had become Team GB's most decorated winter Paralympian, and I said 'really?'

"It was amazing. I couldn't quite believe it."

Menna has won medals in ski slalom, super combined, giant slalom, and Super-G events.

She had this to say for the young people of Macclesfield who want to go out and achieve something.

Cllr Janet Jackson, Menna Fitzpatrick and Cllr David Edwardes outside Macclesfield Town Hall on Market Place. (Image - Macclesfield Town Council)

"Just go out and make it happen," she stated.

"Try your best, see what comes and push yourself everyday to keep that goal in mind."

Menna went to primary school in Prestbury and later the Falibroome Academy, before studying Media Production at Macclesfield College.

She grew up in Tytherington, and still lives in the centre of Macclesfield.

"I love how Macclesfield is a really nice friendly town with lots of stuff to do, I think it is really pretty as well," she added.

"Thank you so much to the Mayor and Macclesfield for giving me the Honary Freewoman of Macclesfield."

Menna will now train for various world championships, and head to Åre in Sweden in January.

Macclesfield Town Council spoke fondly of Menna after the event.

"It was an absolute pleasure to chat to Menna and her mum Mair, and we cannot reiterate enough just how proud we are of her," they said.

"Menna's guide at the time was Jennifer Kehoe and she also receives an award, which Menna will give to her later this summer."

Macclesfield: You can follow her on Instagram.

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