The winner of this year’s Prince’s Trust award has said he hopes to “give something back” to the East End community he grew up in.
Jay Kamiraz, who was raised in Aldgate, was presented with the Pride of Britain Young Achiever award by Prince Charles for his work with the Souls of Prophecy Gospel Choir, and ‘Sing to Smile’, a programme aimed at boosting people’s confidence through singing.
Jay, who is now 33, left his parents’ East London home aged 18 after an assault left him hospitalised, but continues to visit regularly.
“Despite everything that happened there I was to come back to East London and give something back”, he said.
Jay, who is releasing a book next year, is now hoping to bring Sing to Smile to schools in the East London.
“Lots of community groups and organisations have opened there, but it would be nice to get more funding for youth projects”, he added.
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