Paralympian star Matthew Harding celebrated by former college

Former Wirral Met College student, Matthew Harding, has been given a special award in recognition of his sporting success.

The award ceremony took place at Wirral Met’s Oval Campus in Bebington and was presented by Sue Higginson, principal at Wirral Met College and Councillor George Davies.

Matthew is a world champion from Wirral who has amassed 45 gold and 30 silver medals for swimming and still holds the British record for the 50m and 100m breast stroke.

When Matthew stepped away from swimming to embark on a sport in para powerlifting in 2021, 22-year-old Matthew represented Team GB at the World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia and despite it only being his first major powerlifting competition, he became sixth in the world and is now training for the next Paralympic Games in Paris 2024.

Matthew is a former sports student, who achieved the BTEC sport and exercise extended diploma in 2018 with double Distinction, Distinction*.

During his time at college, Matthew also won the Association of Colleges’ (AoC) Achievement in Disability Sport Award.

Principal Sue Higginson, said: “We are so proud of Matthew and are delighted to welcome him back to campus to receive an award in honour of his amazing sporting career so far.