TWO teenage sisters received a national award for their significant contribution to the work of a national children’s charity.

Kia and Skye Graham, aged 14 and 15 from Northwich, were nominated for their commitment to the work of The Children’s Society, a charity working to support vulnerable teenagers who experience abuse, neglect and poverty in the UK.

Skye and Kia have regularly supported The Children’s Society as part of the charity’s Greenbank Hub Junior Youth Club, a club for under 13s.

Having attended the group themselves when they were younger they decided they wanted to continue to be part of the group to help the younger children, become role models and support to the staff and volunteers in the club.

As part of their time they have taken on a leadership role by supporting the arts and crafts and baking activities, engaged and played with the younger children, especially newcomers to the group.

The girls were shocked to receive this national recognition.

Skye said: “The group is a way of giving something back and saying ‘thank you’ for the help we have received.

“I like being involved in the group and interacting with the children. It’s raised my confidence and I’ve now also applied for college and am working in a café.”

Kia added: “I’ve grown in confidence through helping out at the group and now also go to the Sea Cadets.

“I enjoy helping the children with what they need help with and I’m really happy to have won the award.”

The Children’s Society Star Awards ceremony was held at the ninth annual ‘Over the Rainbow’ event at Burnley Football Club on Saturday.

The awards recognise the exceptional achievements, resilience and determination of children and young people who are involved with the charity.

The Children’s Society in Cheshire and Warrington works with children, young people and families supporting them with a range of ways including advocacy, befriending and participation activities. The national charity runs local services, helping children and young people when they are at their most vulnerable, and have nowhere left to turn.

Margaret Burns, a Children’s Society project worker, has worked closely with the two sisters.

She said: “Skye and Kia are like big sisters to the children who attend the group – they are like a go-between between me and the children and young people.

“They help me to set up for the group, support the children, walk them home and they’ve even helped them to make a cookery book.

“Their confidence has grown, they’ve learned new skills, and they should believe they can do anything.”