A 16-year-old boy from Salford has been nominated for the Positive Role Model award in his age category.
Oliver Reece-Woods from Media City, Salford, has been nominated for the award at the National Diversity Awards 2020.
The autistic teen, originally from St Helen's has turned his life around following a "traumatic experience" at the hands of bullies.
Two years ago he launched his successful positive clothing line called Oliver Jude Clothing that was featured at London Fashion Week earlier this year, and has garnered clients from all over the world.
The nomination is in recognition of his amazing work with his clothing brand which he uses to promote inclusion and positivity.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Olly said: “It’s overwhelming really to know that people are still recognising what I’m doing and they’re loving it.
“I don’t know who nominated me and I only received the news yesterday morning, but it’s been a bit of a surprise to be honest.”
Olly has received awards for the Pride of St Helen’s and was a runner up at the Positive awards in Liverpool but he says the national recognition is as good as it gets for him.
“Because it's national you can’t get better than this one really.
“It just shows you’ve got to keep going, keep focused, keep cracking on with life and not let people change who you are.”
Proud dad David told the Manchester Evening News: "I'm really pleased for him.
"He's had a couple nominations and won other awards, so he's proper buzzing from it and he's finally seeing that his work has paid off with promoting his T-shirts, he's proper made up."
ITV News will be working in partnership with The National Diversity Awards to highlight role models and community organisations on regional and national news channels.
The prestigious black tie event will be held at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on the 25 September.
Rachel Corp, Acting Editor at ITV News said: “We are pleased that ITV News will once again be supporting the National Diversity Awards.
“ITV News remains committed to telling the stories of those who through their work and dedication to helping others have made a difference, enhancing quality, diversity and inclusion in our society.
“We look forward to introducing the 2020 nominees to our viewers across the regions and nations.”
