Teenage Traveller receives national honour for tackling bullying and racism

A teenager from Liverpool's Traveller community has today received the ultimate honour for her work to combat bullying and racism.

Seventeen-year-old Nellie Delaney was presented with the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award at a special ceremony at London's Canary Wharf.

The award, established in 1999, honours inspirational young people across the country and the contributions they make to school, family and community life. It celebrates the work of peer mentors, fund raisers, school counsellors, environmental campaigners, sports leaders, local community volunteers and those who have overcome adversity.

Nellie's award - a special certificate signed by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown - was presented by TV personality and Childline founder Esther Rantzen, who also interviewed Nellie on-stage.

Nellie lives with her Irish Traveller family in Tara Park, an official Traveller's site. Her brother, Johnny, died six years ago after a brutal attack. Nellie has worked tirelessly to combat bullying and racism in schools, and contributed to the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust in 2008 by writing a letter for a school resource pack.

Her letter, which described both Traveller life and Johnny's death was distributed to every school in England and Wales. Countless children replied to her and were surprised she showed no anger or bitterness. Many thanked her for raising the issue as they had lost family members in similar circumstances.

Nellie has been rewarded for her strength, courage and determination and for being an inspiration for young people across the country.

She said: "I am very surprised and extremely honoured to be receiving this award. My family is very proud!"

Johnny Delaney, 15, was kicked to death by a group of eight boys in 2003, in Ellesmere Port in what the police described as a racially motivated attack. Following the trial, where two of the eight boys were found guilty of manslaughter, Nellie's father Patrick was invited to travel the country to talk about the tragedy. He unfortunately died a few years ago due to grief and stress.

Nellie has continued her father's work, and in recent years has raised the profile of Travellers and educated others about prejudice and violence. She read her own poem at the 2007 Liverpool Inclusion Awards at the Everyman Theatre and had her art work showcased at the 'Young Brits at Art' exhibition at the Royal Albert Hall.

She has also made a Mobile Movie of her life with her sisters and cousins, and was one of the winners at the council's inaugural 'Celebrating Success in the South' awards in February.
   
Nellie and her cousin Eileen became the first young people from Tara Park to complete full time mainstream education at St Benedict's Catholic College in 2008. Both girls are now students at Liverpool Community College, studying towards a career in hairdressing. They are hoping to set up their own mobile hairdressing business.

The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award is Nellie's second major national accolade in the past 12 months. Last year, she won the 'Anne Frank' Award for her work with young people. As part of her prize, she was one of the guests on a special VIP trip to Anne Frank's House in Amsterdam, Holland.

The city council's executive member for education, Councillor Keith Turner, said: "Nellie is an inspiration, whose bravery, strength and determination to change people's views have set an example for us all.
 
"The Diana, Princess of Wales Award is one of the most prestigious accolades any young person can receive - and in Nellie's case, it is well deserved. She is a fantastic ambassador for Liverpool and a role model for young people everywhere."