Freedom of the District honour granted to Lauren Henry
Published Tuesday 20 May 2025Gold medallist Lauren Henry has been granted the Freedom of the District for her amazing sporting achievement.
The 23-year-old rower, from Lutterworth, has received the honour for winning a gold medal for Team GB in the women’s quadruple sculls rowing event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Mother Nicola Henry and auntie Mandy Jesson accepted the honorary scroll on Lauren’s behalf at Harborough District Council’s Annual Council meeting on Monday 19 May 2025.
Last year, Harborough District Council unanimously agreed that the authority would confer the title of honorary freewoman respectively to Lauren.
The Freedom of the District is the highest honour the council can bestow and is given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and have a strong association with the Harborough district.
Speaking about her award Lauren said: “Firstly, I just want to say a massive thank you. It is both an honour and privilege to receive the Freedom of the District and I am truly humbled.
“I would like to say thank you to my family, especially my parents, for being so unbelievably supportive and allowing me to pursue my dreams. They didn’t know that I would end up winning an Olympic gold when I started rowing, but nonetheless they supported me wholeheartedly to do what I loved. I would also like to thank my coaches for their encouragement, enthusiasm and support through all the hard training, the good and the bad.
“I feel very proud that I get to represent the area and that I am still able to race for Leicester Rowing Club where possible.
“I am very excited to be taking on a new chapter in my rowing career and racing in the single scull. It has been a dream of mine for many years and I’m really looking forward to racing in the European Championships next weekend!”
Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “It’s very rare for this award to be made and is evidence of the very high esteem that we as a council hold Lauren in.
“Lauren is a wonderful ambassador for Harborough district, much loved and highly respected. She is a role model for everyone and we are so proud of everything Lauren has done and will continue to do.”
The last individuals to be awarded the Freedom of the District by the council were Dylan Fletcher-Scott and Laura Sugar in 2022.
Pictured below: Lauren Henry, gold-medal-winning Olympian rower
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