Our hero Zach is named as PM's first Points of Light  award winner for 2024

What a way to start the New Year.

Twelve-year-old Zach Eagling – the boy who took on the online trolls and won – has been named as the first winner of the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award for 2024.

Every weekday throughout the year, the award recognises an outstanding individual volunteer, charity leader or community champion for the positive change that they have made.

And on 1 January 2024, Zach becomes the UK’s 2,232nd Points of Light recipient, recognised for his amazing campaigning work which resulted in Zach’s Law – new legislation to safeguard people with epilepsy from online trolls.

Trolls target people with epilepsy

Zach, from Hartshead in Yorkshire, was just eight years old when he became one of the first victims of a malicious attack by online trolls who targeted people with epilepsy with hundreds of flashing images, designed to trigger seizures in anyone who was photosensitive.

For the last three and a half years, Zach has spearheaded a campaign by the Epilepsy Society to bring the trolls within the reach of the law. And in October 2023, Zach’s Law became enshrined in legislation as part of the Online Safety Act. This means that anyone who maliciously targets someone with epilepsy online could face a prison sentence of up to five  years.

It is the first time a law has ever been written specifically to protect people with epilepsy.

Proud moment

Zach said: “I want to thank the Prime Minister for recognising my hard work and I’m pleased and proud that I’ve managed to change the Law.”

Zach’s mum, Claire Keer, added: “We are all so proud of Zach. It is amazing to think that a schoolboy could stand up to the internet trolls and change the law, but Zach did it and this award is a wonderful recognition of his achievement. Our next step will be to see the law replicated worldwide as the internet is a global platform.”

Nicola Swanborough, Head of External Affairs at the Epilepsy Society said: “It is wonderful to see Zach recognised through the Prime Minister’s Points of Light awards. Zach is an outstanding young man and an inspiration to his generation. His commitment to our Zach’s Law campaign has been unwavering. At just 12 years old, he has made the world a safer place for people with epilepsy. We are immensely proud of him and can think of no finer recipient to mark the New Year.”

Kim Leadbeater MP offers congratulations

Congratulating Zach on his award, Zach’s local MP - and the UK’s 1000th Point of Light award recipient - Kim Leadbeater MBE, MP for Batley and Spen, said: 
 
“I’m incredibly proud and delighted to congratulate Zach on his very well deserved Points of Light award. How many children of his age can say that they have successfully helped to change the law of the land? His campaign against the evil online trolling of people with epilepsy was inspirational and both he and his Mum, Claire, along with the Epilepsy Society, have made the internet a safer place. When the Online Safety Act was passed, and ‘Zach’s Law’ was finally a reality, it was a proud day for Zach and his family, for Hartshead where they live, and for Yorkshire. Working with Zach and taking him and his campaign to Parliament was a real pleasure and this award is a fantastic tribute to his hard work, good humour and determination.” 
 
Kim Leadbeater received a Points of Light award in 2018 in recognition of her work on loneliness to build a positive legacy for her sister, Jo Cox.