IT must have been one of those ‘pinch me’ moments.

Glancing around the room filled with celebrities most of us only ever see on television, the likes of singers Ellie Goulding, Craig David and Conor Maynard, legendary musician Nile Rodgers, actress Liz Hurley and TV presenter Jonathan Ross was one thing, but to be in the presence of a Prince must have been the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime experience.

This was the scene greeting Catherine Geddes when she collected a surprise award - recognising her personal development - from Liz Hurley at the star-studded ‘Centrepoint at the Palace’ fundraising gala and awards evening held recently at Kensington Palace in the presence of HRH The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, a patron of the charity, Centrepoint.

Sponsored by The Reuben Foundation, who are committed to the betterment of society in the UK and around the globe through focused charitable giving in education, health and community and Chopard, the event aimed to raise £1.5m with proceeds going directly to helping homeless young people turn their lives around by gaining essential life skills.

For Catherine this was a special moment, not solely because of the high profile company she was keeping, but for the culmination of a difficult chapter in her life.

The 23-year-old discovered Centrepoint through a friend. She was 21 and at a stage in her life where she had been homeless on and off from the age of 15.

“I have struggled with mental health problems from an early age,” she explains.

The discovery of The Foyer, in Bradford which Centrepoint had been running since 2013 before the merger the following year - helped Catherine to transform her life and now she hopes her story will inspire others who may be living in similar circumstances.

Jen Foster, the Head of Housing (North) Centrepoint, explains The Foyer doesn’t just provide a roof over young peoples heads. She says dedicated workers run healthy living workshops in an environment similar to a training centre where they can spend up to six months, or longer, if necessary to help them get their lives back on track.

“It is vital for young people who are facing quite difficult situations to re-build their lives and learn new skills,” says Jen.

Catherine tells how she participated in Sport for Change, a programme supporting homeless young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). The programme offers interactive workshops and mentoring to improve health, fitness and well-being.

The charity has provided her with many more opportunities too, including her involvement with the Youth Parliament. This dedicated group of young people aged 16 to 25 live in Centrepoint’s hostels. They are elected to represent their peers, by their peers, for a 12 month term during which time they are the voice of Centrepoint, campaigning on issues affecting all young people today.

“I have been political a lot of my life,” says Catherine, who has long campaigned for women’s mental health rights and the rights of the young homeless.

Being involved in the Youth Parliament, she says, has given her so many opportunities.

“If anyone gives you any opportunity just take it, just go for it,” says Catherine.

But the greatest opportunity so far was attending the special awards ceremony at Kensington Palace. “We were all so excited, it was just amazing,” she recalls.

Catherine says she didn’t expect to win an award and was shocked but delighted when Jonathon Ross, Centrepoint ambassador, announced her name and Liz Hurley presented her with her award.

“I couldn’t believe it - I was gobsmacked,” says Catherine.

“I was over the moon."

Centrepoint helped her to move on with her life. She's now living in her own home in Keighley and she couldn't be happier.

“Bradford has been my saviour, I love Bradford,” she says.

Looking to a more positive future, Catherine hopes to become an occupational therapist and hopes her story will inspire others to take opportunities they are given and transform their lives.

“Take every single opportunity that people give you because it can take you on amazing journeys like where I am now."