Alessia Russo receives honorary doctorate

Delivering her speech to the university’s students inside the Canterbury Cathedral, Alessia said: “Although I am still young and still finding my feet in my career, I want to encourage you all to leave a legacy in whichever career you may choose. 

“In football, we say leave the shirt better than you once found it. I wear number 23 for Manchester United and wore it during the Euros. It is a number that is special to me as one of my sporting idols, Michael Jordan, wore it throughout his profound career.

“One of my favourite quotes from him is as follows… “You must expect great things from yourself before you can do them”.

“I think this epitomises how I feel about success, it always starts with you. You must have enough courage to back yourself, even if the odds are against you.”