TRAFFORD’S former young citizen of the year, Kirsty Ashton, is a national winner in the vinspired national awards.

The 20-year-old has won the National Spirit Award, which recognises all round commitment to volunteering.

Despite suffering from a chronic health condition - neurofibromatosis and scoliosis - Kirsty has shown outstanding commitment to fundraising and volunteering for the charity ‘When You Wish upon a Star’.

She has Kirsty has raised over £85,00 for the charity, which provides wishes to children with life threatening illnesses and conditions This has paid for 94 children to travel to Lapland.

She has also written a book about living with neurobibromatosis which she hopes will help others who suffer from the condition.

Kirsty - currently studying to be a teaching assistant at the Altrincham college of Arts - is pictured receiving her award from comedian Leigh Francis.