"Inspirational" Diana Award recipient wants fellow islanders to be nominated

Sunday 25 February 2018

A 15-year-old islander who received a Diana Award in October 2017 after carrying out over 500 hours of volunteer work with St John Ambulance has called on for "deserving young people" from both Jersey and Guernsey to be nominated.

Anyone between the ages of nine and 18 can be nominated for the Diana Award before the 12 April deadline.

 Launched in memory of the late Princess of Wales, the Diana Award recognises "courageous, caring, compassionate young people" who "have gone above and beyond in their daily lives to create and sustain positive change in their communities and the world as Princess Diana believed they could."

Tom, who joined St. John's Ambulance aged only eight, saw his volunteer service recognised last year "for transforming local medical education by introducing first aid into the curriculum from KS1 - KS5."

Collecting his award in October as part of a ceremony at Canary Wharf was not the end of the adventure for Tom. He explained: "It's a great legacy to keep alive so I wanted to be involved in any way I could. I emailed the man in charge and as a result he put me down as a host for the London Award Ceremony. I am very excited, honoured and interested to see what incredible work young people have been doing within their local communities."

Pictured: Tom (left) speaking to Princess Anne at the St. John Ambulance 2017 'Young Achievers Reception' at St. James' Palace.

Now the teen, whom the Chief Minister described as "inspirational," is calling for local young volunteers to be nominated for a chance to win the Award. Tom said: "There are so many deserving young people within our islands communities that do fantastic work and deserve acknowledgement on an International scale. There are many in Jersey doing work with the Youth Service, St. John's Ambulance and they deserve to be recognised on a national scale.

"We do not do volunteer work for recognition but because we enjoy it or are passionate about a cause. But I think to be nominated would encourage them to keep going. It might reinforce their desire to volunteer. I think it can also empower more people to volunteer. The Princess of Wales believed that young people have the power to change the world and they are proving it!"

Tom wants teachers, youth workers, or volunteers to think about an inspiration young person working with them and to put their name forward for the Award. Anyone between the age of nine and 18 can be nominated and there is no limit on how many times someone's name can be submitted. Tom is also encouraging youngsters to approach their teachers or mentors to be nominated, "if you don't ask, you don't get," he says.

For Tom the benefit of the award goes beyond receiving it. He explained: "I have met a lot of different people during the ceremony, other volunteers from all over the world. You meet all the other people receiving the award, it is amazing to see all the work everyone does. It is eye opening.

"I also think that having a certificate from the Princes saying someone has won the Award will help people stand out with their CVs, as well as their academic grades."

If enough names are put forward from the Channel Islands, Tom hopes that a local ceremony could even be held. He says: "If we had maybe 10 nominees we could host a small award ceremony in Jersey or Guernsey. Maybe one of the Princes could come over too."

Nominations for the Diana Award can be submitted online.

Pictured: Tom receiving his Diana with Caitlyn Vanbeck and Tessy Ojo, CEO of the Diana Award.