Hassam Alkhawam fled war-ravaged Syria four years ago along with his family.
Now with a wildly different life, the young charity founder could hardly contain his emotion as he received his Pride of Britain award from Hollywood legend Sharon Stone.
The Prince’s Trust helped the 23-year-old transform his life, starting from scratch in Northern Ireland.
The Trust helped him get on courses so he could learn English, get a job and get into university.
Determined to give back to his new country, he founded a charity that supports vulnerable refugees and migrants.
Hassan, who was told he had won the award on a surprise visit by Prince Charles during a visit to London, had the audience laughing as he remembered not understanding local words like “craic” and how the Northern Irish weather is like having “four seasons in an hour”.
Off stage, he added: ”My heartbeat is going crazy.
“I’m holding the award but it’s still unbelievable, I’m living the life now. It’s my best moment.”
Sharon said: “My first Pride of Britain awards... I’ve been crying all night.”
She told Hassan: “You’re the pride of Britain.
”Dignity and decency and integrity, compassion, gratitude all the things that you hope that young people today will find.”
