World Cup hero Niall Quinn and award-winning actress Gina McKee received honorary degrees at the same ceremony yesterday

Sunderland veteran Quinn who gave the proceeds from his testimonial season to children's charities was honoured at the city's university.

Tony Blair praised the well-loved Ireland international in the House of Commons for his generous gesture which helped some of the world's poorest youngsters.

Quinn has recently been made a player coach with Sunderland - the Premiership team he joined in 1996 - after returning from a brave performance with the Republic in the World Cup.

A spokesman for the university said: "Niall Quinn is one of football's most respected figures."

The Prime Minister paid tribute to Quinn for his decision to hand over gate receipts from a testimonial game at Sunderland's Stadium of Light to children's charities in Dublin, Wearside and Calcutta.

Quinn, who has retired from the international game after winning more than 90 caps, received an Honorary Fellowship.

At the same ceremony Bafta winning actress Gina McKee, who starred in ITV's Forsyte Saga, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts.

The star grew up in Sunderland and went on to find fame in the television epic Our Friends in the North before she played a role alongside Julia Roberts in the film Notting Hill.