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Pioneering campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen has been honoured by the University of Southampton in recognition of her tireless work to make life better for others.
Dame Esther has been awarded an honorary degree in recognition of her role as an ambassador for wellbeing - including setting up children's helpline ChildLine in 1996 and establishing the older people's support service The Silver Line in 2012.
While she is unable to attend the graduation ceremony due to her terminal illness with cancer, she sent a message to students. She said: "I would have loved to meet this year's graduates to congratulate them in person on their wonderful achievements. Well done, all of you! And thank you to all the university staff for your fantastic support which has made this happy day possible."
Dame Esther, who lives in the New Forest, was nominated for an honorary degree by Roxi Carare , Professor of Clinical Neuroanatomy in the University of Southampton, as her research focuses on dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Dame Esther opened the first Interdisciplinary Ageing and Dementia Conference, which was hosted by Professor Carare, at the University of Southampton in 2015. The conference has led to the development of the Interdisciplinary Dementia and Ageing Centre (IDeAC) that focuses on new efficient treatments and early detection for dementia.
Professor Carare said: "Dame Esther's contributions to campaigning for people's wellbeing have been immense and extremely powerful.
"I am delighted that my nominating her for an honorary degree has been successful - it is so thoroughly deserved as she continues to have such a strong impact in her campaigning, including campaigning for the Assisted Dying Bill as she's talked so publicly and passionately about recently."
Dame Esther, 85, said: "I am so grateful to all the brave people, the terminally ill patients, their friends and families, and the healthcare professionals who have allowed me to tell their stories.
"Assisted dying is a very personal and emotional issue, as are child abuse and loneliness. It is only too easy for those who suffer to feel unheard, voiceless and ignored. So, I must thank everyone who listened and enabled vital progress to happen."
About her honorary degree, she added: "I am particularly thrilled that the University of Southampton is awarding me this distinguished honorary degree. I owe this university so much! You are my local university - living as I do in the glorious New Forest, I am being treated - as my husband Desmond Wilcox was - by the University Hospital Southampton, and your track record for innovation is unrivalled. So, thank you so much, University of Southampton, and more power to you!"
