Shepton Mallet student Lily Della Valle has won the Marie Curie Young Supporter of the Year as recognition for her outstanding fundraising and support in her local community.

A student at Millfield School in Street, Lily has volunteered for three years as a collection box co-ordinator in Somerset.

This entails collecting tins from 30 establishments in her area, banking the money and writing a thank you letter to every box holder to notify them how much they have raised.

She has also held her own fundraising events including cake sales, a pub quiz and frequent collection days at her local supermarket. She also gained permission to sell Marie Curie Christmas cards in the Millfield on-site shop.

Lily was recognised for her outstanding contribution to the worthy charity by her line manager who nominated her secretly.

Lily's housemistress Joy Gray said: "Lily is honestly the epitome of all that is brilliant about Millfield.

"She's been my deputy head of house this term and has done an amazing job motivating the girls through lockdown."

Millfield encourages students to support their local communities in any way they can. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic this year, Millfield has worked with the parish and district councils to provide food to vulnerable members of the community.

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Local students have also volunteered in hospitals and replenished supermarket shelves with vital supplies.