Tom scoops top award for showing excellence in the face of adversity

Tom Oates, a Leeds City College student, is celebrating after receiving the prestigious Henry Worsley Award.

The Endeavour Fund Awards recognise achievements of the Armed Forces community and celebrates excellence in the face of adversity.

During the ceremony in London, Tom was presented with the award by HRH The Duke of Sussex and Max Worsley.

Tom received the award in recognition of his incredibly inspirational story.

He was enrolled in the Scots Guard regiment when his vehicle was involved in an explosion in Afghanistan. On returning home, his fiancée was killed in a road accident. Due to this series of harrowing events, Tom suffered with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder.

After hearing about Tom’s situation, scuba diving rehabilitation organisation Deptherapy reached out to him to offer support.

He discovered the calming effect of being underwater and is now achieving his dream of becoming a scuba diving instructor; helping other wounded and mentally injured soldiers on their journey to recovery.

Tom said: “I have never won anything in my life before so winning the Endeavour Fund’s Henry Worsley Award is unbelievable. Without the support of Deptherapy and the Endeavour Fund I would not be alive; this award is a true milestone for me.

“I hope I can give back to the charity by being a champion for our project ‘Protecting Our Oceans’ and by supporting veterans who are new to the programme.”