A STUDENT has received a top award from The Prince of Wales for transforming her life after facing traumatic bereavement and life on the streets.

Daisy McDonnell, 22, scooped the prestigious Homesense Young Achiever of the Year Award at a glittering ceremony held at The Palladium in London.

The event was hosted by TV legends Ant and Dec.

Greater Brighton Metropolitan College student Daisy was facing homelessness and grief and feeling very vulnerable.

After the death of a very close friend, Daisy sought help from the Clock Tower Sanctuary, a homeless day centre in Brighton.

Staff suggested she take part in a Prince’s Trust programme and Daisy enrolled on The Prince’s Trust Team programme with the MET – a 12-week course that builds the confidence and employability skills of unemployed young people.

Daisy said: “After a traumatic and harrowing bereavement, the collapse of my relationship and the reclaiming of my apartment, I began to give up hope.

“Trying to hold down a full-time job while living on the streets proved extremely difficult.

“Team became the one constant I could look forward to.

“And I did. Every single day.

“Following Team, and due to lots of hard work, I managed to secure an apprenticeship as an outdoor instructor and find more stable living accommodation.

“This has been a great opportunity – I have developed new skills, new confidence and new passions.

“I can’t believe I’ve won this award,

“I really wasn’t expecting it.

“I’m in a really happy place now.

“I can’t thank The Prince’s Trust enough for all its support.

“I don’t know where I would be without them.”

Donna Martin, Prince’s Trust Team Leader at the MET, praised Daisy.

She said: “In the eight years that I have worked with young people, I cannot think of anyone more deserving than Daisy.

“She is a true inspiration to me and also her fellow team mates and staff who knew her at the college.

“I have absolutely no doubt that she will achieve all her goals and dreams, and I feel honoured to know her, have supported her and been inspired by her.”

The Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx and Homesense Awards recognise disadvantaged young people who have succeeded against the odds.

They look for people who have improved their chances in life and had a positive impact on their local community, as well as those who have played a part in supporting the work of The Trust.

City College Brighton has merged with Northbrook College Sussex to become Greater Brighton Metropolitan College (MET). The MET offers a comprehensive range of qualifications for 16 year olds leaving school, full and part time courses for adults, apprenticeships, professional qualifications and university degrees. The MET operates across five campuses in Brighton, Shoreham and Worthing and teaches around 3,500 16-18 year olds, 7,500 adult learners, 1,000 undergraduates and 800 apprentices.

For MET media enquiries, please call Julie Singleton, Digital Communications Officer, on 07590 997308 or email julie.singleton@gbmc.ac.uk

About The Prince’s Trust

The UK’s leading youth charity The Prince’s Trust helps young people to get their lives on track. It supports 11 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed and those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion. Many of the young people helped by The Trust are in or leaving care, facing issues such as homelessness or mental health problems, or have been in trouble with the law.

The Trust’s programmes give vulnerable young people the practical and financial support needed to stabilise their lives, helping develop self-esteem and skills for work.

Three in four young people supported by The Prince’s Trust move into work, education or training. The Prince of Wales’s charity has helped 870,000 young people since 1976 and supports over 100 more each day.

Further information about The Prince’s Trust is available at princes-trust.org.uk or on 0800 842 842.