Princely reward for inspiring Lewis

Lewis Houghton (26) picked up a gong at the Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success Awards in Leeds on Tuesday.

Miroslav Ilko (16) and Kirsty Hague (25) were also nominated.

Artist Lewis was nominated for the KCOM Young Ambassador of the Year award after starting his own business as an illustrator.

He also gave a speech at a Prince’s Trust fund-raising event, despite previously suffering from confidence issues.

Lewis, of Rawmarsh, said: “I was shocked to even be nominated so I can’t believe I’ve actually won, I never win anything — I’m just so proud.

“Everything the trust has done for me has been invaluable.

“My confidence has gone from zero to 100 in such a short space of time.

“The trust were the first ones to see me in a positive light and I’m excited to be growing my business.”

Clifton School pupil Miroslav was shortlisted for the Marriott Educational Achiever of the Year award after turning his life around from being admitted to hospital with drugs misuse and expulsion from school to completing his GCSEs.

He was enrolled onto the trust’s XL programme, which helps children who are struggling at school.

Miroslav, of Eastwood, said: “My mum and dad didn’t know I’d got caught up in drugs and when I ended up in hospital, I realised I had to stop.

“Clifton School have never let me down. They have supported me when I needed it most.

“Cranworth Road — where I did the XL programme — was the light at the end of my tunnel. They were always happy to see me; they had faith in me and never gave up on me, even when I had given up on myself.”

Kirsty, of Boston Castle, turned her life around after suffering with depression thanks to help from the trust and was also nominated.

She said: “I thought no-one would ever hire me. I had no qualifications and no work experience. I woke up every day feeling frustrated and became anxious about going anywhere on my own.”