Callum Daniel aged 11, from London has been recognised with the highest accolade a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts – The Diana Award.

I am going to continue doing what I love doing, helping others, especially young people

Callum Daniel

Daniel is a trailblazer who founded his own firm iCodeRobots at the age of seven.

His mission is to give children of all backgrounds and all income levels access to classes training them to build and code robots.

By partnering with other tech providers, Daniel went on to develop and execute a campaign that led to free sessions for 1,000 children.

Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Award is given out by the charity of the same name and has the support of both her sons, The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex.

Despite his young age, and his own personal challenges, Daniel’s commitment to inspire other children to enter the world of robotics has established him as a regular in the fast-paced tech scene.

Tessy Ojo, CEO of The Diana Award, said: “We congratulate all our new Diana Award recipients who are changemakers for their generation.

“We know by receiving this honour they will inspire more young people to get involved in their communities and begin their own journey as active citizens. 

“For over twenty years The Diana Award has valued and invested in young people encouraging them to continue to make positive change in their communities and lives of others.”

Award recipients have been put forward by adults who know the young people in a professional capacity and recognised their efforts as a positive contribution to society.

Through a rigorous nomination process, these nominators had to demonstrate the nominee’s impact in five key areas: Vision, Social Impact, Inspiring Others, Youth Leadership, and Service Journey.

Inspiring others is in Daniels gene’s as his Great Grandfather Malcolm Daniel was the youngest entrepreneur in Antigua, President of the workers union and massive changemaker.

In 1962 Malcolm Daniel along with some friends, having been told to move seats at a restaurant they intended to dine in, was forced to stage a protest sit-in prior to Martin Luther King making them a popular form of defiance.

This incident led to President Kennedy calling the entire group to a meeting at the White House. At that meeting the President pledged his commitment to rid the United States of racism.

Daniel enthused: “This award is everything. Diana meant so much to so many people and she always helped others and it didn’t matter what their background was.

“I couldn’t imagine losing my mum, she is a big reason I am doing what I am doing, she helps me with everything. So to think about Prince Harry and William losing their mum at a young age is sad.

“I am going to continue doing what I love doing, helping others, especially young people. I want to introduce them to technology and so many other things.

“I want to, like my Great Grandad, inspire others and change things so that it’s easier for everyone to do what they love doing, especially if that’s in technology.”

Watch the #2020DianaAwards virtual ceremony to support Callum Daniel and other young change_makers today at 3PM BST. 

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/user/dianaaward