THREE pupils from a prominent west Belfast girls' school were among 30 young people honoured yesterday for their efforts helping others.
The girls from St Louise's Comprehensive College, received a Diana Award in the Champion Volunteer category at a ceremony at Stormont.
Set up in memory of the late Princess Diana, the awards celebrate the generosity of young people aged between 9 and 18, with categories for volunteers, campaigners, fundraisers, anti-bullying champions and 'courageous citizens.'
Shannon Carberry (16) volunteered in Romania last summer and has helped out in three different centres for the disadvantaged, while Ciarrai McAreavey (18) was recognised for her work as a senior supervisor at a youth club and her efforts fundraising for her GAA club.
Aoife Griffin (18), received an award for dedicating her free time to helping her mother care for her younger sister and her father, who is wheelchair bound.
Other recipients included Newry and Mourne Young Carers group; Toni Doherty (11), a volunteer with Kinship Care in Derry; and Nicole Ross and Victoria McClements, both aged 15, fundraisers for those living with an illness.
Jasmine Chan (9), a pupil at Cookstown Primary School, who has cared for her mum during illness and autistic brother, and the primary school's gardening group were also recognised with awards.
