A BIG-HEARTED teenager who sacrificed her 18th birthday presents to thank a charity for helping her grandads has received an unexpected honour.

Katie Punshon raised £825 for Diabetes UK and was surprised to discover her teachers had nominated her for a Princess Diana Award.

Katie, of Kendal Drive, Rainford, said: “I was quite shocked.

“I knew nothing about it. I never did it for anything like that.”

Katie, an A level student at Rainford High Technology College, was nominated by her ICT teacher, Richard Moreton, head of year Catherine Benbow and friend, Emma Guile.

The Diana Award is presented to young people aged 12-18, who make a selfless contribution to their community.

Katie collected raffle prizes from local businesses and asked her party guests to give donations to Diabetes UK instead of gifts.

She wanted to thank the charity for supporting her grandads, Norman Whalley, aged 66, and Roy Franks, aged 76, who died last month.

Her boyfriend, 19-year-old Chris Chandley’s dad and two grandads also have the condition.

Katie, said: “The generosity of everyone was phenomenal. I asked for no presents but they still got me gifts and gave me money as well. I can’t thank them enough.”

She said she couldn’t have staged the event without her mum and dad, Kath and Craig, both aged 43, and her grandparents, Kath Whalley, aged 64, and Norman.

Katie, added: “I was ill on the day and in bed with a sick bug. They decorated the room for me and organised everything.

“They did so much for me to make this event a reality.”

Katie, who hopes to become a secondary school ICT teacher, is keen to encourage Star readers to nominate more young people for the Diana Award.

She said: “There are thousands of young people around here who do things for other people. Many care for someone.”

If you think a young person deserves this award, visit www.diana-award.org.uk for more details.