AN OUTSTANDING teenager who gives up her time to help her fellow pupils has been honoured with a national award.

Dion Hunter, a pupil at Fort Hill Community School in Kenilworth Road, Winklebury, was nominated by her teacher for a Diana Award after she became a mentor.

The awards were set up by the Diana Memorial Committee as a lasting memorial to the late Princess Diana’s belief in the power of young people to improve the world.

Dion, 15, from Hazelwood Close, Winklebury, volunteered to be a peer mentor for a Year 7 tutor group.

She worked with students focusing on bullying and friendship problems, helping them to build their self-esteem.

Amanda Bullen, a technology teacher who nominated the youngster, said: “Dion is a lovely girl. Every week she comes along and takes six children off and goes through awkward situations and spends time with them doing team games and teamwork.

“The kids adore her and I can only pick six out of 30 each week and all the hands go up. I spoke to them when I wrote the application and they said that she really listens and really cares. She’s been so supportive to so many of the children for various reasons like bullying or falling out with friends. She’s never too busy to help.

“She’s very selfless, which is rare in teenagers of her age. She’s a special girl.”

The Diana Award was presented to Dion, who is now head girl at Fort Hill, at the school’s annual prizegiving day, and her parents went along to watch.

Dion said: “Seeing the people I have worked with who were struggling, I have seen them improve and get over their problems – that’s what I enjoy about being a peer mentor. I was really happy to get the award and shocked and grateful that my teacher had nominated me.”

The award is a lifetime honour presented to individuals for their compassion and outstanding contribution to the community.

Its patrons include Esther Rantzen and it has so far been presented to 30,000 people across the UK.