Gateshead teenager named as one of the nation’s Coronation Champions

The title is part of an official coronation project, which has been organised by the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS), and 19-year-old Tom Jackson is one of 500 outstanding volunteers to be chosen.

The teenager, from Gateshead, was nominated for the award by the National Citizen Service (NCS) for his work in running a school uniform donation project that directly helped over 500 families in the Gateshead area.

As a Coronation Champion, Tom will receive an official Coronation Champions pin and a certificate signed by King Charles III and The Queen Consort.

Tom has also been invited to attend a Coronation Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, which will be attended by The King and other members of the Royal Family.

Tom has spoken of his pride in being selected as a Coronation Champion and the work that he carried out to achieve the honour.

He said: “Words cannot describe how joyous and proud I am to have won a Coronation award.  It’s such an honour to be representing NCS and just amazing to see how much of an impact our project had.

“This project helped hundreds of people and this award wouldn’t have been possible without the help of my team and my community. NCS has played such a huge part in my journey in life and I am so proud of the work we have accomplished.”

Tom, who is now studying a professional policing and law enforcement degree at Northumbria University, set up the Gateshead Uniform Donation project was he was 16-years-old.

The idea initially started as a week-long project; however, it turned into a summer-long effort that saw families right across the Gateshead area acquire a full school uniform.

Tom continued the project in the following summers and launched a similar scheme during the winter months by collecting coats and warm clothing for homeless people.

Jonny Marshall, of NCS Trust, has highlighted that Tom should feel proud of everything that he was accomplished with his charity work.

He commented: “It was a real pleasure to nominate Tom as a Coronation Champion and he should be incredibly proud of his achievements.

“His selfless actions have made a huge difference to his local community but also enabled him to build on his own strengths and experiences.”

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