Jody Cundy in action at the National Track Championships. Picture: CHRISTINA KELKEL

PARALYMPIC hero Jody Cundy is to receive an honorary degree from Anglia Ruskin University for his multiple gold medals and promotion of disability sport.

Jody Cundy at Elm School Wisbech

The Walpole St Andrew cycling star, who toured Wisbech’s primary schools today as part of a homecoming parade, will become an honorary Doctor of Health Sciences.

He will join more than 2,300 students for the graduation ceremony, which will be held at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge next week.

Anglia Ruskin will present 11 honorary awards, with Reverend Ronald Corp, the founder of the New London Orchestra, and Chan Abraham, chief executive of Cambridgeshire-based Luminus Group, joining Jody on the list.

Robert King will also receive an honorary degree for his achievements as a civil rights campaigner. He is a former member of the Black Panthers who spent 29 years in solitary confinement before his conviction was overturned in 2001.

Professor Michael Thorne, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin, said: “We hope that this year’s honoraries, and their inspiring stories, will be of enormous interest to our graduating students.

“The ceremonies serve as a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the talent and hard work of our graduating students, and we wish them every success in their chosen careers.”

Jody, 33, won 23 international swimming medals before switching his attention to the velodrome.

The five-time Paralympic champion won a bronze medal in the 4km Pursuit at London 2012.