A DALE teenager said she “squealed with delight” when it was announced she has received the prestigious Diana Award for outstanding young people.
Heather McLachlan, 17, of Boldron, is one of only eight recipients from across the North East, who have received the honour this year for selfless volunteer work.
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award for Inspirational Young People was established in 1999 following her death two years earlier.
The award is given retrospectively through a nomination process and holders of the award are announced each year on what was Princess Diana’s birthday, July 1.
Patrick Langdon, who runs the Longswords Dance team as part of Music at the Heart of Teesdale, nominated Ms McLachlan for the award for her selfless volunteer work organising free musical and dance events as well as assisting residents of a Barnard Castle care home.
Neil Diment, project co-ordinator at Music at the Heart of Teesdale said: “We’re absolutely delighted Heather has received recognition for all her hard work.
“Right from the start her impact and inspiration to the rest of the group quickly became apparent.”
He added: “On a social level, she is always ready to help and mentor the younger or weaker players in our youth folk band, Cream Tees.”
Ms McLachlan, whose father died while serving in the Army when she was a toddler, said: “I couldn’t believe it at first,coming so soon after I won the Pride of Teesdale award last year.
“I have been so lucky receiving so much help and assistance from military charities and I have always just wanted to give something back.”
In addition to her volunteer work, the busy teenager is studying for three A levels in maths, advanced maths and physics at Teesdale School sixth form and working towards her Gold Duke of Edinburgh award.
She hopes to study Bio Med Engineering at university and her dream is to create a robotic guide dog.
Ms McLachlan will be officially presented with her award at a ceremony in September at the College of Music, in Leeds, where she will also receive tickets to Althorp House in Northamptonshire, the home of Princess Diana’s younger brother Earl Spencer.
