PUTTING others first has landed two big-hearted school pupils in the spotlight after they picked up an award fit for a princess.

Deane School year 9 pupils Thomas Sweet and Sheetal Patel have joined a prestigious roll of honour by both receiving a Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Award for young people.

The annual awards aim to reward young people who, through their actions, have made a lasting contribution to their school and community.

And for Sheetal, aged14, and Thomas, aged 13, action is everything.

The selfless teens have so far this year been extremely active in a fund-raising drive for Derian House Children's Hospice which saw the school notch up a creditable £1,000 total in just 10 weeks.

They have both been instrumental in helping to raise money for relief charity Action Aid to help less fortunate children in India.

They have also helped to raise the profile of child victims of crime by raising money for them.

And both are involved in a Youth Forum which meets regularly with Bolton police and councillors to discuss issues affecting the wider community.

But it is in recent months, following the world-changing events in New York on September 11 that Thomas and Sheetal, really began to shine.

The pair organised a Book of Condolence singed by hundreds at the school and sent to the American Embassy in Washington.

And most recently both have been raising money for child refugees in troubled Afghanistan.

They join about 1,200 across the country to receive the coveted accolade and received their certificates during a special school assembly.

Thomas said: "It was great to get the award and it is nice because you are being rewarded for helping other people.

"It is just something we wanted to do. Whenever we see what is happening in the world we always think how we can help. Lots of children from the school have been involved so it is especially nice that we have been picked."

While Sheetal added: "Our parents are very proud but getting an award for what we have done is not something we thought about.

"When I saw on television what happened on September 1, I just thought we have got to do something. Now I feel the same way about the children of Afghanistan."

The pair were nominated for the honour by Deane School head of Year 9 Martin Witter.

"Sheetal and Thomas are model pupils," he said. "They have thought of many of the ideas on their own and I happy to help them.

"I believe what they are doing not only helps others but teaches children here a little more about social responsibility and what is going on in the world.

"It was my pleasure to nominate them and they are a credit to the school and to Bolton."

Selfless

pupils bag

Princess Di

award