THREE teenagers have won the prestigious Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award.

The Ridgeway School pupils have raised an impressive £10,000 to enable a school to be built in the Narok district of Kenya.

They follow in the footsteps of two former pupils who have previously been given the accolade for their outstanding achievements.

Alice Travers, 17, Lydia Shirreff, 18, and Kat Henham, 18, decided to raise the cash three years ago.

Since then the A-Level students have embarked on a busy fundraising schedule to make sure they hit their ambitious target.

"In the summer of Year 10 we listened to a talk given by Free the Children and we just wanted to do something to help," said Alice.

"A school was needed in that area but the charity needed the funds for it to be built. We decided on the £10,000 target and started working towards it."

Alongside a packed class timetable, the girls organised band nights at the school, non-uniform days, they made and sold jewellery and T-shirts and set each tutor group a £20 challenge, giving everyone at the Wroughton school a chance to get involved.

"The charity told us to send the money in as we collected it so after each event we would send off different amounts," said Kat.

"It never seemed like it was that much because we didn't send off the total amount so I don't think we realised how much we were actually raising."

But during a school assembly, headteacher Chris Walton announced that someone in the school had won the award.

"I just thought Oh that's good, I wonder who it is'," said Alice.

"When Mr Walton said it was us I couldn't believe it."

The money now means that hundreds of children in the area will have the chance to go to school, which will be fully staffed.

The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award was launched in 1999 and each secondary school in the UK can nominate one pupil every year. It recognises pupils who have made an outstanding contribution to the lives of others or achieved against the odds.

The Ridgeway head girl Nicola Brierley, 18, who is a friend of the girls put their names forward.

Swindon's former Mayor, Coun Ray Fisher, handed the girls their awards during a ceremony at the school. The prize includes a certificate and a special lapel pin.

Previous Ridgeway School winners of the award are Lauran Cornock last year and Danika Schofield in 2004.

Rewarding achievement

THE Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award for Young People was established in 1999.

The memorial committee felt that the award would reflect Princess Diana's personal interest in helping and supporting young people.

It recognises the contribution young people make to their school, family or community.

It rewards and celebrates school students who are, for example, peer mentors, fundraisers, young carers, school councillors, environmental campaigners, sports leaders or have overcome adversity.

Diana Award holders receive a special certificate and a lapel pin or one trophy for a group and membership of the award holder's section of the website.

Since the award was set up, over 11,000 young people from across the UK have received one.

To nominate a young person in your school, college or local community log on to www.diana-award.org.uk. The deadline date for nominations for this 2005/06 academic year is Friday, June 23.