The 16-year-old is one of two Australian recipients in 2020 of the United Kingdom-based award in honour of Princess Diana.

Keeley founded charity Keeley's Cause when she was 13-years-old to assist children who, like her, are diagnosed with autism and an intellectual disability.

The Diana Award is recognised as the highest accolade a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts.

Keeley has been recognised 'for going above and beyond in her daily life to create and sustain positive change'.

She said she was 'shocked' to receive the award and hoped it would grow Keeley's Cause to help more children around Australia and the world.

Keeley's Cause provides iPads to children with autism and an intellectual disability, enabling them to personalise their education and improve their communication and interaction.

READ MORE: How Keeley's Cause has brought hope to autistic children through technology

Keeley started the charity after experiencing difficulty at school and a lack of funding to access a permanent electronic device for her learning.

In three years she has provided more than 100 iPads to children in need and raised more than $60,000 through events, merchandise sales, donations and sponsorship.

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The Diana Award chief executive Tessy Ojo congratulated Keeley and other award recipients for making positive change in their communities.

"We know by receiving this honour they will inspire more young people to get involved in their communities and begin their own journey as active citizens," she said.

Keeley's mother and Keeley's Cause director Sharon Murphy said the award would help grow the charity to realise Keeley's original dream of assisting children around the world.

"I think this will be is a game changer for her charity," she said.

"Keeley always said from the start she wanted to go global. We kind of said 'come on Keeley, one step at a time'. Now her words are starting to make sense because this is that door that opens that opportunity."

RELATED COVERAGE: Keeley's Cause promotes focus on ability this autism awareness month

Ms Murphy said COVID-19 had halted the charity's fundraising events and iPad presentations, but had allowed time to plan events for the next year, upgrade the website and continue to encourage donations.

She said there were eight children on a waiting list to receive an iPad in Queensland the charity hoped to assist as soon as possible.

Ms Murphy said the donated iPads improved childrens' experience of education and life.

"There is a little boy who is nine who lives in Perth. He is non-verbal with intellectual disability and was one of our iPad recipients," she said.

"Nine days after receiving the iPad, his mum sent me an email to say how massive the changes were in her child.

"In nine days his meltdowns had virtually reduced to zero, he settled down and he was learning and communicating with them through the picture-based apps and emojis on the iPad."

RELATED COVERAGE: How iPads will make a world of difference for family of eight special needs children

Ms Murphy said the child now followed a personalised learning plan on his iPad that was adapted to his needs.

"It is phenomenal knowing just an iPad can do so much for these kids," she said.

"It is like a security blanket. It gives them a sense of worth. It makes them feel safe because even if they are having an anxiety or a meltdown and can't verbally communicate, they can still share their emotions or feelings through the iPad.

"We are finding their depression is lowering as well because we are giving them that esteem that they can be someone because they have the tool in their hands now."

Keeley was nominated for the Diana Award by Ballan Lions secretary and one of Keeley's Cause's directors Mike Vale through a 'vigorous' nomination process.

Visit keeleyscause.org.au/ for more information about the charity or to donate.

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