She received her Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Politics and Social Administration from Loughborough University (1991).
She was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1992 Queen's Honours List and the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2000 Queen's New Years Honours List for her services to disabled sports.
She was awarded the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2005 Queen's New Years Honours List for her services to disabled sports.
She was a non-civil service member to the sport committee
for the 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours List.
She received an honorary degree as Doctor of Science (HonDSc) from the University of Hull on January 26, 2006.