INSPIRATIONAL charity founder Dan Eley has been named a Point of Light by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Undefeated by a life-changing diving accident in Colombia on New Years’s Day 2010, which left him paralysed from the shoulders down, the former Godalming College student went on to launch the Dan Eley Foundation in 2012.

The charity has since raised £180,000 to help children in need living in Colombia, where Dan was formerly an aid worker, and trained 190 disadvantaged youngsters with vital skills.

Dan is the latest recipient of a Point of Light award, a scheme launched to recognise outstanding individual volunteers, and people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.

Congratulating Dan on his achievements, Mr Cameron said: “Dan’s determination to overcome his own life-changing experience and make a difference in the lives of children from disadvantaged backgrounds is truly inspiring.

“With The Dan Eley Foundation, he has given hundreds of children in Colombia an opportunity to learn a trade and achieve employment which many of them wouldn’t otherwise have had. I am delighted to be able to recognise Dan’s service by naming him the UK’s 480th Point of Light.”

Dan (pictured) said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to receive the Point of Light award. I dedicate this award to my trustees and all the other people who have supported me in helping me making this dream come true. I would like to express my immense gratitude to the Prime Minister and cabinet office for choosing me for the UK’s 480th Point of Light award.”

South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt added: “I’ve had the privilege to meet Dan on numerous occasions and he is nothing short of a total inspiration. He has overcome his injuries by sheer force of his positive personality, through which he now helps many others facing equally life changing challenges.

“He once said to me he had found his vocation in life and I am delighted the Prime Minister is recognising the amazing contribution Dan makes both here and overseas in Colombia.”

Keen to support his local community as well, Dan’s charity has been working with Skillway, a Godalming based skills training charity, to provide bursaries for students to undergo two-year ‘master class’ courses in their chosen trade.

In March 2015, high-profile charity supporter and former Godalming College student Ben Elton was special guest at the foundation’s first Spring Benefit Concert in conjunction with the college, which raised £5,000 to help music students from lower income families to cover the costs of their instruments and classes.

• The foundation’s fundraising 2016 Spring Benefit Concert will be held at Godalming United Reformed Church on Wednesday, March 23, at 7pm, and include performances by Godalming College concert orchestra, its jazz band, string ensemble and college singers.

Tickets cost £10 (students £5) from www.ticketsource.co.uk/godal mingcollegemusic – all proceeds to the Dan Eley Foundation.