Lewis, from Havant, is organising prom for teens missing out

HE HAS given hundreds of youngsters the chance to make friends '“ and now determined teenager Lewis Hine is going one step further to help others.
Lewis HineLewis Hine
Lewis Hine

The 15-year-old is using inspiration from his Friend Finder website to organise a prom for teenagers who missed their own school events.

In 2015, Lewis set up his own website giving young people who miss school because of illness or disability the chance to make friends and be social.

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And after lots of success at monthly meet-ups, the Havant student is organising a prom for 15 to 19-year-olds who could not go to their school events because of health problems.

Lewis, from Havant, said: ‘Missing school is one thing, missing your prom due to illness or disability can be really upsetting and disheartening. So I felt this was the perfect event to hold and help make this magical night happen for them.

‘Without even trying, we have had so many nominations in from children that missed proms as they were having chemotherapy, to others who couldn’t attend prom due to their special needs.’

The prom, being held at Portsmouth Guildhall in June, is open for 150 children who can be nominated for the chance to go.

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The event is being organised by Lewis and a team of young people who have been marketing the event, getting free dresses and choosing decorations.

Lewis added: ‘This prom is far from your normal school prom. There are many exciting things happening that we must keep a secret until the night, but it will be an incredible, memorable night for all the right reasons.’

As previously reported in The News, Lewis was named Hero of the Year at the Radio 1 Teen Awards at Wembley Arena, in October last year.

He was recognised for his hard work in starting Friend Finder, which he did despite being in and out of hospital most of his life. Missing school and having no set routine meant he was not able to make a lot of friends, so he set up the project for other young people like him.

To nominate someone to attend the prom, email [email protected]. Entries close March 15.

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