Chloe wins praise from the PM for her charity work

Chloe Hine was named a Point of Light by Prime Minister Theresa May.

The 16-year-old started Beat the Bullies in 2015 – a charity that helps victims of bullying through music and songwriting.

With the support of O2, Chloe turned her negative experiences of bullying into something positive.

She created a website featuring an online guide to making music, as well as advice on how to recognise and tackle bullying. Her app has now reached millions of people.

Chloe was presented with her Point of Light award by minister for civil society Rob Wilson MP at the Houses of Parliament.

Chloe said: ‘It was kind of crazy. When I got the email to tell me about the award, it was surreal.

‘I got really emotional as when I set up Beat the Bullies I didn’t do it for recognition. I wanted to help young people.

‘I know what it feels like to be in a situation where you feel that you are worth nothing. I wanted to stop other young people feeling like that.’

In a personal letter to Chloe, Prime Minister Theresa May said: ‘By creating Beat the Bullies you are supporting people to recognise and tackle bullying and helping young people who have been bullied to channel their experiences into something positive.’

Chloe is the latest recipient of a Point of Light award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers, people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.

Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.

Chloe said: ‘Winning the Point of Light award fills me with an unbelievable amount of joy. I’m so grateful that my hard work and dedication has been recognised. I do what I do because I love it and there is no better feeling than hearing the words thank you from someone you’ve helped.

‘Three years ago I believed that all I deserved was to die and now I have won this award, there really is light at the end of the tunnel.

‘I can’t express enough how grateful and excited I am about winning.’

Chloe, from Havant, is the 619th winner of the Points of Light award, a scheme developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA.

Chloe’s work was praised by Havant MP Alan Mak.

He said: ‘Chloe’s outstanding work is an inspiration to us all, and congratulations for her well-deserved Point of Light award.

‘Beat the Bullies is an excellent initiative, using music and songwriting to help young people overcome bullying, and I hope her work encourages others to take a similarly positive approach.’

To get involved with the charity go to beatthebullies.org or email [email protected] or call 07545 664784. Also see facebook.com/beatthe.bullies or Twitter @beatthebullies4.