Kinsella (pictured) competed at the Israel 1968 Paralympics, Heidelberg 1972 Paralympics and Toronto 1976 Paralympics, where he secured bronze medals in both swimming and track and field.

He also competed in the Edinburgh 1986 Commonwealth Games and Auckland 1990 Commonwealth Games, where he won seven gold medals.

Shortly before he retired, Kinsella founded and became chief executive of Greenbank, which is a Liverpool-based charity focused on creating opportunities and enhancing the status of disabled and disadvantaged people through education, training, employment and sport.

Kinsella received an MBE in 1991 for his success at Greenbank and he continues to organise international sporting competitions for disabled people.

The citation was presented by International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President and Liverpool John Moores University Honorary Fellow Sir Philip Craven.

"I'm delight at receiving the Fellowship and I thank Liverpool John Moores University for the honour," said Kinsella, before addressing the students.

"To the students, your ideas are the stuff of change, and it is important to learn from your mistakes while also being brave and trust in your dreams.

"Believe in yourselves and believe in sport.

"Sport is a vital ingredient in social inclusion and general well-being.

"I wish you luck in your careers and ask you to remember that what we all do and say leaves a mark.

"We must make sure that it is a positive one."

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