A SOUTH Trafford college pupil who has battled illness all her life has received a prestigious award at a ceremony in London.

Kirsty Ashton, who suffers from neurofibromatosis which causes tumours and curvature of the spine, was presented with the title "World Child Of Courage" in her age category for her outstanding contribution in raising money for charities and coping with her condition.

The former Altrincham College of Arts pupil, who was the last winner of the Greater Manchester Police Young Citizen of the Year award in 2004, said: " The ceremony was amazing, I was so pleased to receive this accolade in front of a host of celebrities which included Vanessa Feltz and Peter Schmeichel who presented me with the award."

Julie Ashton, Kirsty's mother, added: "She is so courageous, and really deserves this. She has not been too well recently and typically of Kirsty she doesn't think she has done anything special!"

Kirsty from Wythenshawe, recently raised a massive £25,000 for the When You Wishing Upon A Star Charity for sick and terminally ill children with a special fundraising evening held at Manchester Airport. She has now collected a staggering £38,000 as she aims to reach the figure of £65,000 to take 100 sick children on a visit to Lapland to visit Santa. Kirsty said " It would make my Christmas if I could send these children away in December 2007."

The 16-year-old first got involved with the charity when she took part in the annual trip to Lapland at the age of nine. She was so touched by the sight of so many ill children being given the opportunity to make the trip that she decided to start raising money by organising a number of charity events which included a 1940s wartime theme event and various raffles and tombola stalls, all raising funds in conjunction with When You Wishing Upon A Star.

If you would like to contribute to Kirsty's fund raising activities, visit her website at www.kirstysstory.co.uk sam.editorial@messengergrp.co.uk