Matthew McCall, (Year 14), is a recipient of the prestigious Diana Award.  A Diana Award is presented to Individuals aged 12-18 who make a sustained, selfless contribution to their community, and who demonstrate exceptional personal qualities. The main Diana Award is assessed by a quality panel of experienced and talented judges who were so impressed with Matthew that they nominated him as an ambassador for the Diana Award.

Matthew is a volunteer who has helped with the Scouts, Cubs and Beavers for a number of years.   He's also a School Prefect who has been involved in an after-school club for disabled people, as well as a Summer School for disabled children.

So much of Matthew's spare time is spent working for other people.   Within school he's a peer mentor for pupils in Year 8, as part of the school’s pastoral care for new “recruits”.  Last year, he volunteered for a cross-community "Spirit of Enniskillen" workshop with the theme of "working together for a better future". As a direct result, he was asked to represent the school at a meeting with Junior N.I. Ministers in the N.I. Assembly to discuss the future, from a young person’s perspective.   He was then chosen to train as a facilitator and travel to Berlin for two weeks, helping to build strong cross-community relationships. 

Matthew hopes to study medicine next year, as if further evidence was needed of his determination to use his talents for the good of others.   Above all, he is gentle and compassionate and an excellent communicator.   He is an inspiration to all who meet him - and his Diana Award has encouraged him to work even harder on behalf of others.

http://www.diana-award.org.uk/

Report thanks to Mrs. Oakes.