Tom’s Story

"No matter how big or small the thing that you do, it can still inspire the lives of others."

We never stop being amazed by the power some young people have to push through vital change. That’s why we were delighted to give a Diana Award to Tom Gallagher, who as a Year 11 student worked with eight others to transform the prefect system in his school.

 Up until that point, prefects were seen as a group of older students whose job was to tell other people off. Tom and his peers decided that wasn’t good enough and transformed the system into something to be proud of.

Within a very short time, the younger pupils felt much more safe and secure, knowing that at any lunchtime, break or social event, there would always be a prefect around who could help, give advice or just say “Hi”. In fact, the new prefects were so popular that they were continually being asked how to apply for the job!

As well as being a prefect, Tom was also a CHIPS (Childline in Partnership with Schools) counsellor, able to give support to students when they needed a friendly ear, and served for two years on the Billericay Youth Town Council. In the latter role, he helped to organise charity events and worked to improve the facilities around the town for young people.

The Diana Award has been a springboard for Tom. Through it he has attended a presentation skills training day, attended the national launch of the Award as an independent charity, met minister Ed Miliband, joined the Award’s Youth Advisory Board, had lunch with Princes William and Harry, and met many other Award holders.

Tom can’t praise the Award more highly: “This award is just fantastic! It really identifies and shows young people all the things they do for others really are appreciated. No matter how big or small the thing that you do, it can still inspire the lives of others. I really hope the Award will grow to become recognised within the UK as the premier award for young people.”

We hope so too!