A FORMER Stanwell School pupil is celebrating the work of her charity during Volunteers’ Week.

Lara Cowpe, 28, set up Teen Spirit - in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) in South Wales - in 2012.

She was inspired to set up the charity, which is based in the Vale, after the TCT spoke to her sixth form years ago.

Teen Spirit helps raise funds and awareness of TCT’s vital work with teenagers and young adults affected by cancer in South Wales, with a team of dedicated volunteers.

In the four years since they were formed they have raised more than £80,000.

Mrs Cowpe, now an occupational therapist, has been recognised for her volunteering work and has been a finalist for a St David’s Award, carried the Olympic torch on the Barry leg in 2012 and received a Point of Light Award, presented by prime minister David Cameron.

Teenage Cancer Trust relies on donations and all money raised by Teen Spirit and its volunteers will go towards the maintenance of the specialist TCT unit funding specialist staff and supporting free cancer awareness sessions.

Every day seven young people aged 13 to 24 from across the UK are diagnosed with cancer and almost 130 are diagnosed across Wales every year. The unit means young people can be treated alongside others their own age making a different to their experience.

Teenage Cancer Trust opened its state-of-the-art eight bed unit at University Hospital Wales in 2009. The unit caters for young cancer patients aged between 14 and 25.

To support Teenage Cancer Trust by volunteering or holding a fundraising event email hello@teenagecacnertrust.org.uk or call 07985 471429. For more information on Teenage Cancer Trust visit teenagecancertrust.org

For more information about Teen Spirit visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/TeenSpirit4TCT or email Lara at laracowpe@gmail.com