2:40pm Thursday 9th September 2010
By Rebecca Cain
THE widow of Roald Dahl today received an honorary degree from Buckinghamshire New University for her continuing charity work.
Felicity Dahl who lives at Gipsy House in Great Missenden was awarded an honorary Msc in recognition of her strong links with nursing and work with Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity.
Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police Sara Thornton was awarded an honorary doctorate for her work to develop a strong relationship between the university and the police and her 25-year career in the police.
The awards were given during one of the university 's graduation ceremonies which are running all week at the Wycombe Swan.
Mrs Dahl said: “It was absolutely wonderful. The ceremonies are always so moving.
“I think the wonderful thing is the support of the families and the sacrifices the family have made to put their children through and then for the children to actually achieve it.”
After Dahl's death in 1990 Mrs Dahl set up the Roald Dahl Foundation which has recently changed its name to Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Society.
The charity has given more than £7 million in funding to help children and young people with serious, rare blood or brain conditions.
Until 2008 it dealt with literacy problems but that side is now part of the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre which was opened and set up by Mrs Dahl in 2005.
Still very much involved in the charity's work Mrs Dahl said: “It is the team behind that is so fantastic. All the support from the team of angels through the years.
“And of course the passion that Roald gave to people who then give back to me. That is what is so delightful.”
Addressing the graduates Chief Constable Thornton said she was “delighted” to receive the doctorate.
She said she was not a “model student” when she studied at Durham University and “there will be unexpected challenges” for graduates “along the way.”
She said she was one of five women chief constables out of 53 in Great Britain and is often asked if the glass ceiling is still holding women back. The chief constable said there can be a sticky floor for women and other minorities but the the glass ceiling only “holds us back from being the best we can be.”
She added: “I have every confidence that your time here at Bucks New University has equipped you well.”
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