Grace leads call for new heroes

Grace McNulty, 11, from Staincliffe, won the Diana Award for Active Campaigner last year.

The prize was set up in memory of Princess Diana for young people who engage in community work and spend time helping others,

Grace’s life was hit by tragedy in 2012, when her father Craig – an active charity volunteer – died in an accident whilst working on a roof.

Since then, she has aimed to replicate her dad’s selfless nature by raising more than £500 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, giving up Christmas Day to serve food to homeless people and befriending younger children at school.

Grace joined her mum, Sharon, and last year’s other winners at an event in Leeds last week to open this year’s awards.

The event included a visit from X-Factor finalists Rough Copy and a call for nominations for a new batch of young heroes from across the region.

Grace said: “Most of my friends help me do the things I do, but it makes me feel really good when I help someone else because you’re making them feel happy. My dad’s inspired me to help others because that’s what he did.”

Sharon, 48, said: “Grace has channelled all her grief into doing great things for other people and I think it’s fantastic. I hope events like this can inspire other people her age to do what she’s done.”

Nominations can be made at www.diana-award.org.uk from Tuesday.