Eve Brooks-Parkin, from Ormiston Sudbury Academy, is one of the winners of The Diana Awards for her voluntary work with the Eden Rose Coppice Trust which works on supporting children with special needs and patients in palliative care.

The 16-year-old was nominated for the award by Lisa Gilson, house manager of Rosa Parks House, at the academy.

Over the past five years, Eve has helped over 200 children, some with profound learning difficulties, to boost their self esteem.

During this period Eve has volunteered during the school holidays and raised money for the charity.

She also currently leads a group of volunteers who help to restore woodland for the benefit of the community and wildlife.

This is not the first time Eve has been recognised for an award, as she won the Young Person of the Year award for her work with youngsters with learning difficulties at the Community Action Suffolk awards, in October.

The Diana Awards were set up to celebrate and reward exceptional young people who embody Princess Diana’s qualities of kindness, compassion and service. The awards are committed to fostering, inspiring and developing positive change in the lives of young people through practical social action.

Caroline Wilson, principal of Ormiston Sudbury Academy, said: “Everyone at Ormiston Sudbury Academy is delighted that Eve has won the Diana Award.

“She has worked tirelessly for Eden Rose Coppice Trust and is a student who embodies the qualities of kindness, compassion and service that are reflected in the Diana Award.”

And Lisa said: “I’m absolutely overjoyed that Eve has won this award - she could not be a more deserving winner.

“I had the honour to meet Princess Diana in 1994, an event which had quite the impact on me. These awards, set up in her memory, are the perfect embodiment of her qualities of compassion and kindness, qualities which Eve has clearly demonstrated in all of her charitable work.”

Wendy Battye, charity trustee of Eden Rose Coppice Trust, added: “Eve connects with the children in a very special way that seems to bring out the best in each child.”