# Diana Award launched as independent charity

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2007/02/18/diana-award-launched-independent-charity/
- Published: 2007-02-18T00:00:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

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.

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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.

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