WHEELCHAIR tennis star Lucy Shuker has been named the Vitalise Woman of Achievement 2011 at a gala award ceremony in support of national disability charity Vitalise.
Lucy, 31, from Hampshire, is Britain’s number one ranked women’s wheelchair tennis player and 10th ranked in the world.
She received the award in recognition of her inspirational achievements in the world of disabled sport, having overcome being paralysed from the chest down following a motorbike accident in 2001.
Lucy’s partner in wheelchair doubles tennis is Birmingham professional Jordanne Whiley, with whom Lucy is ranked 10th in the world.
Lucy follows in the footsteps of previous Women of Achievement and Courage Award winners including Katie Piper, whose personal story My Beautiful Face inspired millions, and disabled yachtswoman Hilary Lister, who became the first ever quadriplegic person to sail solo across the English Channel.
The 29th annual Vitalise Women of the Year luncheon and awards ceremony was presented by Arti Halai, formerly of ITV’s Central News.
Over 400 high achieving women attended the ceremony, which also featured a dance display by stars of South Africa’s version of TV’s Strictly Come Dancing, a luxury bazaar and live music.
