The final honorary awards of 2015 were presented by University Campus Suffolk yesterday along with hundreds of graduates celebrating the completion of their studies.

Graham Butland, chief executive of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), Terry Baxter, chairman of Ipswich Central, and Nicky Slater, two-time Olympian and former British Champion ice dancer were all honoured by the institution at ceremonies in Ipswich’s Corn Exchange.

Addressing students graduating from the Department of Health Studies after receiving his honorary fellowship, Mr Butland said: “To you I say a huge congratulations, I am sure there have been times over the past few months and years when you didn’t think you would get there and questioned whether it was worth it.

“I don’t feel this is an honour and I am not accepting it in the way it is awarded for me personally, I believe very much it is as a result of the organisation of EACH and the many people who work there.”

Mr Baxter was also made an honorary fellow. He told students from the Department of Nursing Studies: “I would like to add my congratulations to you for all that you have achieved, however may I make a plea to you, do not give up on Ipswich.

“Ipswich and indeed Suffolk needs well qualified, bright, intelligent young people to help continue its journey.

“It needs people like you to take on plans that are being formulated now and into the future to make them your own.”

Mr Slater received an honorary doctorate from UCS. He said: “I knew what I wanted to do when I was 16 but I didn’t have the courage to step or the knowledge of how to make that happen so now I am doing that.

“It’s about finding the courage to step, to do what is in your heart.

“You are at the start of your career, you can change the world, your ability can literally can redefine how things are done.

“When you do what you love you will find other things come around you and you can make a difference.”