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Leeds Law School student picks up national award from Prince Charles
Joining Charleigh (second left) onstage are Cordell Campbell (Delta), Michaela Coel and Richard E Grant
Charleigh Morritt, from Leeds Law School, has been presented with the prestigious Delta Air Lines Rising Star Award from HRH The Prince of Wales.
TV presenters Ant and Dec hosted the ceremony at London’s Palladium, which was attended by celebrities including Pierce Brosnan OBE, Harry Kane MBE, Ashley Walters, Michael Ward and Richard E. Grant.
Charleigh said: “I just can’t believe that I have won. The Delta Air Lines Rising Star Award represents an investment in young people who are achieving their personal goals and overcoming the barriers they are faced with along the way.
“Winning has made me realise people do acknowledge your achievements. I’m so glad that I took part in The Prince’s Trust Fairbridge programme and winning this award has made me proud in myself, because I have grown to be a better person all round.”
Before signing up for the Prince’s Trust, Charleigh had suffered with anxiety to the extent that she found herself unable to do day-to-day tasks. Deciding that it was holding her back, she shut herself away from everything and everyone.
“I just felt like I couldn’t do anything and I didn’t feel needed,” she said. “Things got so bad that my mum contacted the Mental Health Services for Adults team for support, and that’s when I found out about The Prince’s Trust.”
She then joined Fairbridge, a Prince’s Trust programme that builds the confidence and self-esteem of young people.  It includes a Get into Retail course that aims to develop young people’s skills in the retail sector.
Charleigh said: “After the programme I got a job at Primark and was placed in the fitting rooms, because they saw I was good at dealing with customers. I’ve faced challenges there, like the odd angry customer, but I now feel I have the resilience to cope. 
“I started to attend college again and my grades improved so much that I got an offer to study Law at Leeds Beckett University, where I’m now in my second semester.” 
Deveral Capps, Dean of Leeds Law School said: “Charleigh is an inspirational figure. Her route to higher education has not been an easy or conventional one, and we are delighted that she is now thriving on her course at Leeds Law School.
“The Prince’s Trust award is well-deserved and I’m sure Charleigh will go on to have a fulfilling and successful career in law.”
The Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx & Homesense Awards recognise young people who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life and had a positive impact on their local community.