A YEAR 10 pupil from Altrincham College of Arts has received a national award for her outstanding contribution to her school and community.

Kirsty Ashton, who has Scoliosis and tumours on the spine and has recently undergone another major operation to correct her spine, is the first pupil at the college to receive the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Award for her commitment and work in numerous fields including fundraising for the When You Wish Upon a Star charity.

She was presented with the award in a special assembly earlier this month.

Headteacher, Peter Brooks, said: "Kirsty is a super student and a great ambassador for the school.

"I was delighted to be able to present Kirsty with the award. She thoroughly deserves this national recognition.

"In school, Kirsty is a very hard working, fun loving student who fulfils her study as a prefect impeccably. Out of school Kirsty works tirelessly raising money for the 'Wish Upon a Star' charity and supporting other children who have suffered from illnesses similar to her own."

Kirsty first became involved with When You Wish Upon a Star when she took part in the children's charity's annual trip to Lapland at the age of nine.

Mr Brooks, said: "Since she went on that visit she has worked herself tirelessly to send children on the trip she went on.

"She's an amazing kid. She gets involved in everything yet she spends her life wearing a body brace."

Her work has included organising cake sales and bric-a-bracs.

As well as her charity work, Kirsty has her own website www.kirstysstory.co.uk through which children all over the world with similar illnesses can contact her.