Youngsters who had to cope when a close family member has been seriously ill have put their own experiences to good use to help a Ross-based charity, and now the youth management team, known as the Y-Team, at Hope Support Services has been rewarded with a Diana Award.

Hope's Y-Team 2011 members, Ali Raine, Ben Ray, Jemma Williams, Olley Owens, Becky Green and Dean Powles, received the Award for being Diana Champion Volunteers at Hope Support Services in London.

The Diana Award was established in 1999 as a lasting legacy to Diana, Princess of Wales' belief that young people have the power to change the world.

The members of the Y-Team have all been through their own family health crisis and are dedicated to helping young people aged 11-25 years who have a close family member diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The young volunteers devote their time, energy and resources to support their peers and actively promote the charity.

For the rest of this story please see this week's Ross Gazette.