Award in memory of 'bullied' boy

Karl Peart took an overdose of painkillers

An award in memory of a Northumberland teenager who killed himself is to be presented to a school pupil who has worked against bullying.

Karl Peart, 16, was found in the bedroom of his home in Lynemouth in June 2003 after he had taken an overdose of painkillers.

An inquest heard he suffered bullying during his school years.

The Karl Peart Award will be presented to a pupil from Ashington who has worked hard to challenge bullying.

Serious issue

Karl was a pupil at Hirst High School in Ashington, which was also attended by 15-year-old Gemma Dimmick, who killed herself soon after Karl.

Karl's mother Sonya Peart has vowed to continue campaigning for the victims of bullying and to set up a web site to help youngsters being subjected to abuse.

The Karl Peart Award is being presented on Tuesday as part of a week of initiatives across the country to combat bullying.

Val McFarlane, regional coordinator for the Anti-Bullying Alliance, said the north-east of England has long been committed to anti-bullying strategies in schools.

She said: "Bullying continues to be a serious issue for all young people and through the Anti-Bullying Alliance, organisations are linking up and challenging bullying together. We won't hide from the problem, we'll tackle it."