My story started 6 years ago at the age of 9 when I suffered serious injuries following a skiing accident during a school holiday. I fell 40 feet on to compacted ice breaking both legs, dislocating both ankles and breaking my arm. During my recovery I spent 6 weeks in a wheelchair and it was during this time I realised how difficult it must be to play sport and it was this that inspired me to organise a sponsored walk to raise funds for the Wigan disability Sports Forum where I managed to raise over £5,650. This money has helped buy specialist equipment for disabled athletes in Wigan.

Since then I have taken part in many charitable events for different causes from abseiling 140 feet down Old Trafford football ground for Cystic Fibrosis to appearing in pantomimes for Derian House Children’s Hospice, and I have now raised over £10,000 in total.

But it’s not just about raising funds as I also wanted to give something more back to my local community and it was with this in mind that I started to get involved in volunteer coaching with both able bodied and disabled people young and old and I am now fully involved on a weekly basis with the English Karate academy, Westleigh Basketball, Wigan Sports Development and Leigh Cricket Club.

I have totally enjoyed all my fund raising activities and coaching opportunities and will continue to do both to help my local community.

It is an honour to receive such a prestigious award and I am amazed that Westleigh School and in particular, headmaster John Banks, nominated me and that I have been considered a worthy recipient. Whilst I don’t do my voluntary work or charity fundraising to be recognised, this award is something special to me in that the Diana Award not only rewards young people for the good things they do but gives them a platform to develop themselves personally for the future.

I look forward to being involved in the opportunities the Alumni Scheme will offer me.

To date, she has completed over 100 hours of voluntary work, mainly with the local ‘Able to Play’ scheme. Indeed, the Mencap organisers have been so impressed with Kate’s commitment that they have done all they can to involve her even more with the project. She is determined to help young people develop outlets for their thoughts and feelings, even if they cannot adequately express themselves in words.

At school, Kate also mentors younger students and is a popular and respected prefect. She is a mentor to vulnerable younger students, and she is involved in anti-bullying work. As one of her teachers says, “her enthusiasm and sheer drive impress us all.”

The Diana Award has given Kate a huge amount of encouragement to continue her work. She is an inspiration to us all.