A WOMAN who has championed the cause of disabled swimming over the past 25 years is coming back down to earth after picking up an OBE from Buckingham Palace.
Patricia Bennett, of Brinkburn Road, Darlington, received the award from Prince Charles, rubbing shoulders with celebrities, including chat show king Michael Parkinson and singer Lulu.
A team manager for the British Swimming team at the Paralympics in Atlanta in 1996, she is the national swimming coordinator for Disability Sport England.
Mrs Bennett said: "It is still all sinking in. It has taken a long time to realise what has happened and what a great honour it is. Prince Charles was very pleasant and asked me how long I had been involved with the sport of swimming, while congratulating me for my efforts.
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