9. Erin Kennedy MBE - Rowing Paralympic gold champion, World champion, European champion and Breast Cancer thriver

Erin Kennedy MBE is the Coxswain with the GB rowing team currently steering the Mix 4 of the Paralympic rowing squad. Erin is the Paralympic gold champion, two time world champion, three time European champion and world cup winner and she is the first Cox to ever hold these 4 titles at any one time.

What is remarkable about this list is that Erin achieved some of these victories with breast cancer.  In May 2022 Erin was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer.  Four days after her cancer diagnosis she won a gold medal at the World Cup and then a few months later she coxed the crew to victory in the 2022 European Championships – part way through chemotherapy.

She showed true strength of mind and body by continuing to train and compete for the GB rowing team despite her diagnosis and during her treatment.  Throughout her treatment Erin bravely shared her cancer journey online to raise awareness of breast cancer, the importance of early detection and the importance of living life joyfully with a diagnosis.