A GREAT Dunmow college student has been congratulated by acting legend Sir Ian McKellen for her campaign work for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender rights.

Emily Eaton, 18 and from Great Dunmow, was praised by charity Stonewall at their annual Awards evening on Friday May 20.

The awards ceremony was hosted by celebrity chef John Whaite, and actor McKellen, most famous for playing Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings series, made a special surprise appearances to meet the young people.

Emily impressed the judges with her creative approach to her campaign work within the local community, which involved producing a short film on her experience of coming out as bisexual, and writing a short story about a LGBT girl - she then used the story to lead a Key Stage 2 writing group in writing their own examples around similar themes.

Emily is also striving to improve LGBT rights in her community by creating a Gay-Straight Alliance within her school.

She said: “Being part of the programme has been such a rewarding experience.

“I hadn't felt so out and proud until I had the opportunity to be part of something so great and important and I'm incredibly grateful to have been part of it.

“My drive to fight for LGBTQ+ equality has increased even more and I have grown so much confidence.”

Sir Ian said: “Lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality has travelled a long journey in this country and Stonewall has led the way. But there is still so much left to do, both in Britain and across the world.”

Stonewall’s Youth Volunteering Programme, supported by Lloyds Banking Group, has helped thousands of young people develop and run campaigns to tackle homophobia, biphobia and transphobia within their local communities.

For more information about what Stonewall do please visit: www.stonewall.org.uk.