News Story Date : 03 March, 2010

RAMP Mentee Wins National Award

On Monday evening in front of a 1500 strong crowd, Hebburn resident Karen McLaughlin was crowned Young Achiever of the Year at The Prince’s Trust national Celebrate Success ceremony in London.

Karen has had a troubled life associating with much older people at the age of 11. They were smoking drugs and before too long Karen thought she would give it a go, first cannabis, then amphetamines and finally heroin. The drugs had a huge effect on her life leading to problems and school and a complete breakdown in the relationship between her and her mother.

Karen said: “My mum knew I was on something but she didn’t know enough about drugs to know what it was. It caused so many arguments and really upset everyone.”

By the age of 20 her heroin addiction had taken over, and the situation forced her to move into a homeless unit. Karen reached an all time low when she developed an abbess on her arm from where she had been injecting. She was told by the doctors that she risked losing it if she carried on and this proved to be the wake-up call she needed.

Karen started to rebuild her life without drugs and received intense support from the Prince’s Trust through their Team Programme. IT was on leaving this programme that she was referred to work with Olympic silver medallist Nick Gillingham MBE through Sport England’s Respect Athlete Mentoring Programme.

Karen said: “Nick is one of my heroes. It blows me away that someone who has achieved so much is interested in helping me. It has really built up my confidence.”

Karen has now decided that she wants to help other young people. She is about to start studying for her FA Footbal Level 1 and 2 coaching badges and volunteers and Hebburn Sports and Social Club coaching young people.

She plans to combine football coaching and drug work. She has also used her experiences and desire to bring about change in others by writing a research paper on substance abuse for the local authority.

Karen was presented her award by the Prince of Wales after hearing her name announced by Sir Michael Caine. She walked to the stage to receive her award to a standing ovation from the 1500 strong crowd.

“I meet Prince Charles once when I was three at a nursery in Hebburn so it was great to meet him again 23 years later, especially somewhere like this. I’m lost for words at the minute. It’s a great feeling. The competition was so tough it’s amazing I was chosen as the winner.”