A 22-year-old woman who turned her life around after a difficult upbringing has taken home a special prize for those who have overcome trauma in their lives.
Kerry Cheyne and her sister were placed in foster care when she was aged just nine as their mother’s disability made it difficult for her to give the care her girl’s needed.
Ms Cheyne struggled through 13 years of upheaval, partly fuelled by living with foster parents she did not see eye-to-eye with.
Now she has been recognised for completely transforming her life in just a few years and now works as a full-time carer for those who have gone through similar experiences/
Ms Cheyne was named runner-up title in the Samsung Young Achiever of the Year at the Prince’s Trust & Samsung Celebrate Success Awards.
She rubbed shoulders with Ant and Dec, Gok Wan and Fearne Cotton at the bash, with Ms Cheyne admitting to being completely starstruck at the event hosted by The Prince of Wales.
She added: “It was really exciting to be there but I was quite nervous.
“There were quite a few of us up for the award so I was shocked when I found out I had won.”
The 22-year-old made it to the prestigious bash after winning the regional awards earlier this year.
Ms Cheyne first became involved with The Prince’s Trust after seeing a poster for its social care programme.
She said: “The Prince’s Trust really helped me overcome my nerves and get me where I wanted to be.”
Ms Cheyne left school at 17 and has a moderate learning disability which has affects her literary and cognitive skills. It was this that made her want to help others who struggle in a similar way.
She said: “I used to find it difficult to read and write but I’m really good at that now, it’s just understanding people’s questions that I sometimes have trouble with.
“I always saw what the teachers and carers were doing and because I always had a caring instinct I was told it was a job I would be good at.”
Ms Cheyne said she thoroughly her enjoys her work and plans to continue helping others until she retires.
Speaking to those who may be going through a similar experience, she added: “Go for it. You never what’s going to happen until you try.”