Shaw cycling hero Matt receives his MBE

The quiet smile on the face of our champion cycling hero tagged “Wonder Walls” tells the story.

Matthew Thomas Walls received his distinguished MBE from his Royal Highness Prince William at Windsor in a special ceremony last Wednesday (December 7).

Matt, 24, from Shaw, attended the ceremony with his mother Lorraine, sister Rachael, and his girlfriend, Fleur.

His father Larry and son in law Rob were on grandchild duties with Harry and Emily before joining a celebration with 20 family and friends.

But speaking after the ceremony, Mr Walls senior said: “What a fantastic day celebrating such a prestigious occasion with all our family in a Royal Palace. 

“We are all so proud of what Matt has achieved at such a young age. 

“To win a Gold and Silver medals at his first Olympic games is really is something special, and something he has dreamed of since he was 10 years old."

Earlier this year, the Trojan cyclist was involved in a spectacular crash at the Commonwealth Games when he was catapulted over barriers into the crowds at the Lee Valley VeloPark trying to avoid a pileup on the track.

A team of medics worked on his injuries for 40 minutes as the audience was evacuated from the area.

He had 10 stitches inserted in a wound to his forehead. 

And after the crash he Tweeted: “I’ve somehow come away with no serious injuries just a few stitches and pretty banged up.!I - really hope everyone else involved is ok including the spectators that may have been injured.”

And in an interview a year earlier he revealed to Jonny Bray of Sportsbeat “the secret ingredient” behind his searing cycling rise – Oldham.

“I wouldn’t have started cycling if the community wasn’t there,” he said.

“I had the support of my secondary school when I started racing competitively - they let me skive off school a few times. 

“Oldham was massive for me – I started cycling seriously because I was able to do a triathlon at primary school which I imagine is pretty rare. 

“Teachers went out of their way to help me pass my studies and catch up later on because I’d be so far behind after a week away racing.  

“I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without all that support from the community.” 

Matt attended St Josephs Primary School and Crompton House Secondary School in Oldham.

He was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Oldham on September 8, 2021.

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