A Co Fermanagh teenager who was the youngest person to receive an award from the New Year’s Honours has said he is was ‘delighted and astonished’ to hear he had made the cut.
18-year-old Dara McAnulty, who has now gone on to study at Queen’s College, Cambridge, picked up a BEM for his environmental campaigning and work with people living with autism.
Dara is an award-winning writer who has penned three books, one of which made him the youngest ever winner of the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing.
READ MORE: Fermanagh man on winning MBE for work with local community care group
In a social media post Dara said he was over the moon to have been awarded the BEM.
“Delighted and astonished to be the youngest recipient in the first New Year’s Honours List awarded by King Charles III, a wonderful supporter of nature and young people,” the former Erne Integrated student said.
“I have been awarded BEM for service to nature and the autistic community! I believe the recognition encourages other young people that their voices are worthy & will be heard!
“Thank you so much to everyone who has already extended their congratulations! I’m so chuffed!
“Thank you everyone for the incredible support I’ve been shown over the years. I couldn’t continue my work without the encouragement and positivity I receive from so many - especially my brilliant family.”
In a touching moment this week, Dara appeared on BBC Breakfast where he spoke with the oldest recipient of a New Year’s Honours, 100-year-old community volunteer from Macclesfield, Peter Davies.
“We’re generations apart, but it really means something that we can all come together and really care to show how incredible this world is,” Dara said on the show.
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