Local teenager is up for major award

16-year-old Daire McIlroy, is up for the Educational Achiever of the Year Award at the Prince’s Trust and L’Oréal Paris Celebrate Success Awards

From an early age Daire struggled at school. Due to a number of personal difficulties, he suffered with emotional and behavioural problems, and as a teenager he was easily influenced by other students.

His behaviour in class became more and more disruptive. He was eventually suspended from school and began attending Lough Road Learning Centre, joining their local Prince’s Trust xl club.

The xl club, which provides a personal development programme for young people who are struggling at school, gave Daire the confidence he was lacking.

Due to a lack of self-esteem, he initially found it hard to establish friendships and showed little interest in the xl activities. However, soon staff began to notice a huge difference in his behaviour.

He loved the physical side of the club, such as a team-building day at a local adventure centre, and his enjoyment and enthusiasm for every challenge made him a role model to others.

Daire has pushed himself since leaving the xl club, achieving qualifications in English, occupational studies, and adult numeracy and literacy. He completed a work placement at a local gym and he has now started a course in sports and recreation studies.