A TEAM of charitable pupils from a Penarth school had a surprise this week when they were presented with a national award.

Twenty-one students from St Cyres were nominated for the Diana Awards by staff from the school.

The prestigious scheme was set up in memory of Princess Diana to recognises individuals and groups who have helped those less fortunate than themselves.

Year 9 pupils have been raising money for the Marie Curie Hospice Penarth, Ashgrove School for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, and a third group led the school to full Fairtrade School status.

The school nominated the ‘Fairtrade Committee’ for their work over the past three years which resulted in St Cyres becoming one of the first Fairtrade schools in the Vale, and the ‘Valentine Roses’ team of girls who have consistently raised money for Ashgrove School.

As a single organisation can only nominate two groups in any year, the Marie Curie Hospice willingly agreed to act as nominator for the ‘Marie Curie fundraising team’, who have been involved with the charity since they joined the school.

Don Clarey, charity co-ordinator at St Cyres, said: “We arranged for these three groups to be nominated for a Certificate of Excellence, and we are very proud to say that each group was accepted for this award.

“It was quickly decided that the children would not be told about the award but that parents and relatives would be invited in secret!

“So successful was this strategy that the gasps of astonishment when the parents entered the assembly hall were deafening!

“We asked comedian Rob Brydon to attend the ceremony and although he was unable to be present, he did send a signed photograph and his congratulations and best wishes to the award winners.

“We were very pleased to receive Cllr John Fraser, the Town Mayor, to the school who was kind enough to say a few words and to present certificates together with Colin Turner from our Board of Governors.

“Helen Griffiths from the Marie Curie charity also attended and spoke warmly of the work undertaken by our pupils,’ added Mr Clarey.

“Cllr Mark Wilson from the Penarth Town Fairtrade forum spoke of the efforts made by the school to further the sale of Fairtrade products and the school thanks him for his attendance.

"We were also enormously pleased to welcome back some of our past students, now in universities around the country, who were the original ‘Roses girls’ and trained our present team.”

PANEL WINNERS Fairtrade group: Ruba Ashraf, Sam Davey, Rosa Green-Burrows, Kelly Knight, Joanna McAndrew, Hannah Roberts, Georgia-Mae Spear, Amy Sleeman.

Marie Curie Cancer Care group: Lisa Carter, Abi Dublin, Jazique Islam, Anisah Johnson, Olivia Morse, Devon Riella, Lauren Williams.

Valentine Rose group: Nikki Baird-Murray, Georgia Goffin, Ellie Kihlberg, Rosie Lyne, Alice Pace, Emily Thorne.