An Inverness teenager who helps disabled people to learn to use digital technology has been given a prestigious award by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The volunteer work of 14-year-old Madeline Hayes has been described as “ground-breaking”.
She has been a befriender for three years at Leonard Cheshire’s social care service house in Inverness.
Madeline has now become one of only a handful of volunteers across the UK to receive a Points of Light Award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers who contribute to positive change in their local community.
The teenager said: “I am so humbled by this award. I feel so lucky being able to volunteer in such a nice environment where I’ve always felt welcome.
“I help out when I can and I don’t think of volunteering or befriending as something I have to do; it’s something I choose to do.”
In a letter to Madeline, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “I know you do this with no thought of praise or reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of how you are opening up the world of digital technology and the opportunities that these technologies offer to connect disabled people and combat isolation.”
Madeline, also known as Maddie, has befriended residents at Cheshire House and together they have learned about the power of digital technology.
Resident June Batt said: “I always have a great time with Maddie – she’s kind, pretty and the videos we have created together have made me famous. I’m always watching them on YouTube.”
