Campaigner collects OBE for Diana Award work

An anti-bullying campaigner has received his OBE from the Prince of Wales for his work with a charity created to honour the royal's late mother.

Alex Holmes founded the peer-to-peer anti-bullying ambassadors programme for the Diana Award when he was 16-year-old student in Deanshanger, Northamptonshire, following his own experiences of racism and homophobia.

The 36-year-old, who grew up in Milton Keynes and now lives in Hertfordshire, said receiving the accolade from Prince William was "particularly poignant" and a "huge honour".

Mr Holmes was appointed an OBE for his services to young people.

Mr Holmes, deputy chief executive of the Diana Award, said: "It is a huge honour to receive this OBE.

"It was particularly poignant to be awarded by The Prince of Wales who I've worked with at The Diana Award, set up in memory of his mother, for many years."

The ambassadors programme has a network of trained young people dedicated to preventing all types of bullying particularly in schools, the charity said.

Chief executive Dr Tessy Ojo said: "Alex's pioneering leadership and passionate commitment to young people has been immense.

"He is an inspiration to so many young people at The Diana Award who have been impacted by his work."

The Diana Award was set up in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, 25 years ago, as she believed young people have the power to change the world.

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