The work of inspirational young anti-bullying campaigner Charlie Kristensen has been recognised with a Diana Award.
Commenting on his latest accolade, the Berkshire 11 year old who inspired the #CheerUpCharlie anti-bullying campaign said: “I never dreamed two years ago, going through what I went through, that I’d now be in the position I’m in. To receive a Diana Award is just a dream come true. I hope I really can become the change maker for my generation that I want to be.”
Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Diana Awards are seen as the highest accolade a young person can achieve. Supported by Princess Diana’s sons, The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex, the Diana Award charity develops and inspires positive change in the lives of young people through programmes including mentoring for young people at risk and a youth-led anti-bullying ambassadors’ campaign.
Tessy Ojo, CEO of The Diana Award, said: “We congratulate all our new Diana Award recipients from the UK and all over the globe who are changemakers for their generation. We know by receiving this honour they will inspire more young people to get involved in their communities and begin their own journey as active citizens.
“For over 20 years The Diana Award has valued and invested in young people encouraging them to continue to make positive change in their communities and lives of others.”
Charlie Kristensen first hit the headlines when his singing teacher Jacqueline (Jax) Hughes appealed to the musical theatre community to send messages of support to the youngster after discovering he was being bullied in school. The theatre industry on both sides of the Atlantic responded with hundreds of messages of love, support and encouragement for the nine-year-old boy affectionately known as ‘Little Charlie’.
Nominated for the Diana Award by his publicist Alison Duguid, the 11-year-old from Wokingham now devotes over 100 hours each month to mentoring, campaigning, fundraising and raising awareness on a local, national and international level.
His successes have included the release of a star-packed charity single, the development of a musical theatre workshop in partnership with West End actor and singer Nathaniel Morrison and a popular weekly YouTube chat show featuring star guests including Matt Lucas, Kerry Ellis and Luke Bayer.
Angela Thomas
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