2011 Highlights

I would like to reflect on our highlights from 2011 and to thank you all for your support and interest. With the London Olympics and Jubilee fast approaching, 2012 promises to be action packed and it is the year to be proud to be British and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of our fantastic Award Holders throughout the UK.

I thought I’d share some of our 2011 highlights with you:

• 3,045 fantastic young people have been presented with a Diana Award for their commitment to helping others and improving our communities!
• To commemorate our 12th anniversary we have re-categorised the award to make it easier to nominate exceptional young people, you can now nominate young people aged between 9 and 18 for the following categories:

For young people who tackle bullying in schools and communities.

For young people who run campaigns in their schools and communities.

For young people who raise money for good causes.

For young people who give their time to improve the lives of others.

For a young person whose courageous approach to life has made a direct impact on the lives of others.

• We have launched the International Diana Award so we can recognize young people who are inspiring the lives of others internationally
• 250 young people have helped at Diana Award events, ceremonies and taken part in internships.
• We have recruited 2,000 Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, a peer-led initiative that provides young people with the confidence to campaign against bullying, for more details click here
• We are delighted that two new Patrons have joined us, The Prime Minister, RT Hon David Cameron MP and Lord McConnell.
• Our wonderful new Ambassadors are Twist and Pulse and Bishi.
• We have organised some fantastic celebration events this year at 11 Downing Street and Lancaster House.
• New Award Holders have been celebrated at a number of award ceremonies including Barclays Corporate in Canary Wharf and at the Scottish Parliament.
• We published research in collaboration with the Open University that shows that cyber-bullying is on the increase and 38% of young people are affected.
• Our first charity dinner at St Paul’s Hotel raised £6,000 – thank you so much to everyone for their support.

It is a difficult time for charities and any donation you can spare would be hugely appreciated. It costs £120 to provide each of the exceptional young people with the recognition and support they so richly deserve. If you can, please make a donation of £10 per month, or whatever you can afford via this link. It would be a wonderful Christmas present and means we can celebrate even more fantastic young people so that they are encouraged to do more.

We all look forward to seeing you and hearing from you in 2012.

With warmest wishes,