Fundraising hero Callum Fairhurst is urging people in the Ely area to nominate someone they think deserves to be praised for their work in the community for an award that changed his life.
Callum won the Diana Award – which recognises young people who create positive change – for his work in raising money for the Liam Fairhurst Foundation, a charity he started up to help young people affected by cancer and other ilnesses, after the death of his brother, Liam, in 2009.
Since receiving the award, Callum, from Soham, has gone on to raise tens of thousands of pounds - which has been used to support over 200 families – through a number of charity missions, including a round-the-world bike ride last summer.
And he has sent a message to people in East Cambridgeshire to nominate someone they think is deserving of national recognition.
“Everything that came as a result of winning the Diana Award has changed my life,” he said.
“From meeting a family of like-minded people who want to make a difference, to becoming a part of a network who can inspire others – the Diana Awards really is the way to go.”
The Diana Awards has also launched a new way of recognising inspirational young people - the Legacy Award.
The new award, created to mark the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death, will be presented to 20 young people from across the world who go above and beyond to create and sustain positive change.
“It would have a huge impact for anyone to win the Diana Award or Legacy Award,” Callum said.
“I would love to see more people from our area win them. Anyone can be nominated – whether it’s a teacher at a local school or someone who has raise money for charity.”
And Callum has also set his sights on his latest fundraising venture – but remained tight-lipped as to what it will be.
“There are lots of things planned,” he said.
“The new challenge won’t be as physical as last year’s, but it will certainly be more interesting.
“All I can say is it will be another tour and it will take place in the summer. I’m very excited for it.”
For more information on the Diana Awards or to nominate, visit www.diana-awards.org.uk, and for more information on the Liam Fairhurst Foundation, visit wwww.liamfairhurstfoundation.com.
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