TWO young people from Dorset secured royal recognition at the Celebrate Success south west regional awards after turning their lives around with youth charity the Prince’s Trust.

As part of the ceremony held in Bristol, HRH the Prince of Wales sent a video message explaining the importance of the awards to the Prince’s Trust and Celestine Walcott-Gordon, a finalist on BBC’s The Voice, performed to award nominees. Toby Carolan, from Marnhull in north Dorset, won the University of the West of England’s Educational Achiever award.

Dr Noel Burchell, acting PVC and executive dean from the University of the West of England (UWE), says: “We’re delighted to honour the achievements of Toby after he won The Prince’s Trust Educational Achiever Award.

“He has proved that you can create a positive future for yourself, no matter what your circumstances.

“We wish him every success for the future.”

East Dorset teen Kennedy Coombs participated in Dorset Fire and Rescue Service’s Prince’s Trust 12-week personal development team programme and won the HSBC Breakthrough Award.

Kennedy Coombs says: “I’ve been on such a journey, which has had a combination of highs and lows, but I wouldn’t have been able to even get started, let alone end up where I am today, if it wasn’t for The Prince’s Trust.

“It’s changed my life and I can’t wait to see where the future takes me.”

Simon Martin, head of global corporate sustainability at HSBC, said: “We are extremely proud of Kennedy for winning the HSBC Breakthrough Award.

“He is a shining example to other young people and has worked incredibly hard to get where he is today.”

Other young nominees from Dorset Fire and Rescue Service’s programme included Hayley Dent, 19, nominated for the Young Achiever award, and Merlin Katari, 26, for the Breakthrough award.