A sprinter who represented Great Britain at the Olympics four times will be awarded the Freedom of Croydon Borough.

Donna Fraser grew up in Thornton Heath with her three older sisters and attended Winterbourne Junior Girls School, St Mary’s Catholic High School and Croydon College.

Fraser went on to represent Great Britain four times at the Olympics, first in Sydney 2000, specialising in the 400m distance, and won Commonwealth, World and European Medals.

She was recruited by the Croydon Harriers Athletics Club, who she continued to race for until her official retirement in 2009.

Tony Newman, leader of Croydon Council, said: “Donna’s record competing at the highest level across the globe speaks for itself but since retiring she has excelled as an ambassador for athletics and Croydon.

“Working with sports clubs, schools and other groups in her home borough and across the entire country she has championed diversity and inclusion in athletics and made a real impact on the communities she visits.

“I’m proud to announce she will be given the Freedom of the Borough as a token for her hard work over the years.”

The 45-year-old held the position of President of the South of England Athletics Association from 2013-2015 and became an ambassador for Breast Cancer Now after being diagnosed with the illness in 2009.

Fraser is also a Trustee for the London Marathon Charitable Trust and the Women’s Sport Trust.

She said: “I am truly honoured to be given the Freedom of Croydon Borough, my family will be so proud.

“I am a Croydon girl through and through and will continue to give back to the community who supported me as an athlete, especially helping the young people of Croydon to aspire to do great things on and off the track.”

Fraser is now the Vice President and the Equality, Diversity and Engagement Lead for UK Athletics.

The Freedom of the Borough is the highest award Croydon Council can give. Fraser will be presented with the award alongside former England manager Roy Hodgson in December.