A GRADUATE who witnessed the horrific murder of his mother and brother as a 10-year-old has been nominated for a coveted award after becoming beacon of hope for others.

William Kellibrew picked up the pieces and went on to devote his life to helping others, raising awareness of domestic violence and supporting child victims.

Now a global leader and an international advocate for human, civil, victims’ and children’s rights, the 41-year-old travels the world showing just how one can overcome adversity.

The Sunderland University graduate, who was handpicked to represent a unique Friendship Pact between the city and Washington DC, has been nominated for a Social Impact Award at the British Council Alumni Awards.

His tragedy unfolded in Capitol Heights, Maryland, USA, on July 2, 1984.

His mother, Jacqueline, and 12-year-old brother, Anthony, were in the living room of the family home when Jacqueline’s partner, who had only recently moved out, took out a gun.

As he sat quietly by the front door, the man shot his mother and then Anthony.

It was his grandmother, Delores Short, who took on the parental role to the schoolboy and his other brothers and sister.

He said: “My teens were the worst. I, literally, felt suicidal each morning I woke up.

“My grandmother Delores modelled resilience and held on for the family. It is in large part due to her love and support that I started to see the opportunity in life and the humanity that was possible for my own life.”

Mr Kellibrew, who forged ahead and became a two-time student government president, then began to speak openly of his past traumatic experiences, telling his story at first to school children in a bid to raise awareness.

He said: “Witnessing the killings of my mother and brother destroyed me and took away my dignity, but with support from my grandmother, family, and key support systems in place, I eventually was able to rebuild my life.

“The single-most important thing I have ever done in life is to strengthen my own capacity to bring humanity into spaces where trauma and violence breathes and lives.”

He added: “As a kid, I always had dreams of being a doctor or a helper. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe that I would be considered to be an inspiration globally to those who are struggling each day.”

His story of tragedy to triumph has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show and his work endorsed by presidents of the United States.

Mr Kellibrew came to the region about 10 years ago to study business and management at Sunderland University.

He said: “I forged long-lasting friendships in Sunderland.

“I used to play on the Sunderland tennis team and I still keep in touch with my former team mates.”