Rotherham "bin-bag" campaigners honoured with Diana Award

Rotherham Looked-After Children’s Council picked up their trophy at the Leeds College of Music on Friday.

Judges noted how their Bin Liners are Not Suitcases campaign successfully secured a commitment from local government to provide all 600-plus looked-after children with at least one new suitcase and one small holdall so that bin bags will no longer be used.

“Not only has this raised awareness about the experiences of LAC within the wider community but, crucially, it has improved the lives of those who move from one foster home to another,” said a spokesman.

The LAC is made up of children aged 11 to 18 who work together to help improve the lives of children in foster care, including in the areas of mental and physical health.

Also receiving an award was 16-year-old Elliott Goulding (pictured below), who lives in Rotherham but is a member of Doncaster Sea Cadets.

The judges said Elliott had been a member of Sea Cadets for over three years “consistently going above and beyond what is expected of him”.

Described as “both a role model and dedicated teacher to his fellow cadets, eager to pass on his knowledge” his passion is navigation and he prepares his lessons at home in his own time in between his college studies.

Elliott has dyslexia and severe Irlens Syndrome but the judges said “Elliott never lets anything get him down and one day he hopes to join the Merchant Navy”.

The Diana Award —established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales — is the most prestigious accolade a young person aged nine to 25 can receive for social action or humanitarian work.