Diana Award launched as independent charity
Howard Lake | 18 February 2007 | News
Today, 15th February 2007, the Diana Award, in the 10th anniversary year of Princess Diana’s tragic death, is being launched as an independent charity at The Treasury. The Diana Award is a living legacy to the Princess which is presented to young people, aged 12 to 18, who inspire the lives of others. It recognises the selfless and positive contributions made by tens of thousands of young people to their schools, communities, families or friends.
The Diana Award was set up in 1999 by the Government’s Memorial Committee. As a newly launched independent charity, the Trustees of the Award are looking to establish partnerships and support to financially secure the Award’s future. This will enable this ever-growing network of young people to become the leaders of tomorrow.
The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, says:
10 years on from Princess Diana’s tragic death, her memory continues to inspire young people today to devote their time and energy – as Diana did – to helping others in their communities. 16,000 young people have received Diana Awards since they were introduced in 1999, and as the Diana Award becomes an independent charity this year, I know thousands more young people will be inspired to follow in their footsteps. In this way, the example set by Princess Diana of selfless work for the good of society can live on from generation to generation.
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Key speakers at the launch include Baroness Kay Andrews OBE and TV Presenter Diane Louise Jordan. The event will be led by young Award Holders who will tell their compelling stories of bravery, compassion and altruism. These include and full biographies attached:
· Zuhra Bahman (23yrs). Zuhra taught English to children underground when her city in Afghanistan was captured by the Taliban. Here in the UK, she has actively represented the Afghan community at national and international events. She has set up a charity called the Afghan Youth Fund.
· Liam Fairhurst (11yrs). Liam finished treatment for cancer a year ago. He has raised £70,000 to support other children that suffer with cancer. It is all dedicated to the memory of his friend Jack who died in August ’06.
· Amy Hewitt (17yrs). Amy is an anti-bullying campaigner. She experienced bullying for a number of years but now actively campaigns to tackle bullying in schools and communities.
With over 16,000 Diana Award Holders in the UK, they include young people who have been brave or overcome immense personal difficulties, as well as young carers, fundraisers, campaigners, mentors and others. The Diana Anti-Bullying Award, which is in addition to the main award, is presented to young people that have tackled bullying.
Many young adults, who are Award Holders, continue to use their inspirational and entrepreneurial skills for the benefit of others. Award Holders have changed lives and the impact on them after gaining the Award is immense. One Award Holder said: This Award is going to be with me all my life.
Maggie Turner, Director of the Diana Award, says:
The Diana Award is a sparkling testament to the late Princess’s achievements, celebrating the best in our young people and giving recognition to those who act as a force for good for their schools, families and communities. We have flourished so much over the last seven years that we made the decision to become an independent charity so we can reach out to more young people that deserve this unique award.
To make a nomination for the Diana Award or the Diana Anti-Bullying Award
visit www.diana-award.org.uk or tel. 0845 3372987
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.