New Year's Honour for student at The Manchester College

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A student at The Manchester College is the youngest person on the Queen's New Year's Honours list. Kirsty Ashton, 21, received an MBE for her charity work for When You Wish Upon a Star. Kirsty has raised thousands for the charity from the age of nine.

When You Wish Upon a Star grants wishes for seriously ill children. Kirsty was inspired to start fundraising when she was only nine and living with a painful illness of her own. The charity arranged for her to go to Lapland in 1999.

‘I went to Lapland and made friends with a young girl who passed away just a few days after Christmas. When we were in Lapland we said we would be friends forever. My mum explained to me that if people hadn’t raised money for the charity we would not have met or had our wishes granted.’

I was shocked when I found out about the MBE, as charity work is a hobby of mine

‘When I was 16, I started raising bigger amounts of money. I held events at school such as own clothes days. Recently I’ve organised 1940s re-enactment nights, a gig and an EP launch. I’m currently organising a black and white ball.’

This New Year, Kirsty found out she had been awarded an MBE. The MBE is an award from the Queen for Kirsty’s service to children and families.

I made my website into a book to raise more money

‘I was really shocked when I found out about the MBE. I didn’t understand why I was getting it, as my charity work is a hobby of mine. I’m still in shock, but proper buzzing! I’ll be going down to Buckingham Palace within the next six months. The Queen herself is apparently awarding the MBE to me.’

Kirsty has set up a website about her experiences of living with a condition called neurofibromatosis. The website, Kirsty’s Story, has been made into a book.

We were in the basement of a haunted building when the fire extinguisher came flying off the wall!

‘I thought making my website into a book would be a good way to raise money. I added information which is not on the website to make it more light hearted and bring out the personal side.’

Kirsty spent the night in a haunted building for her most recent fundraising event. ‘I did a “spookathon” for TV in the basement of Hyde Town Hall. We asked the spirits to do something and the next moment the fire extinguisher came flying off the wall. We all screamed and ran and the TV crew left!’

Kirsty is in the final year of the Foundation Degree in Radio Production at The Manchester College. After the course, she aims to arrange more charity events and work in radio.

‘I also act and I’ve been in Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. Long term, I want to be a foster carer, but first I need to get a job, buy a house and meet Mr Right!’

What next? Find out more about Kirsty’s fundraising.