A SEDBERGH School student has led a group of like-minded pupils to win the prestigious Marsh Award for Youth Activism.

Year 12 pupil Maddy Stanford started Sedbergh Amnesty Youth Group upon her arrival at Sedbergh School in September 2017.

The group exists to raise awareness of human rights, and of the work of Amnesty International both within the local community, and also the school.

The funding awarded to them as part of the Marsh Award was used to host an AmnesTea Party in May.

The afternoon featured talks by two prestigious speakers, and a workshop for year 9, 10 and 11 pupils run by the Amnesty Child Human Rights Network.

Campaigner and Councillor Seyi Akiwowo talked about Glitch UK, a group set up to tackle the growing issue of online abuse directed at women voicing their opinions online.

Dr David Nicholls then took to the lectern to talk about his experience as an activist in the medical profession, and particularly around campaigns against Guantanamo Bay.

The afternoon, which was open to the public, concluded its programme with a Q&A session with Tim Farron MP. Between sessions students served tea, coffee, and cake made by pupils in all the houses.

Sedbergh School headmaster, Andrew Fleck said: “It is great that Maddy and the other students in the Sedbergh Amnesty Youth Group are able to bring human rights issues to the forefront of people’s minds like this. I am extremely proud of their achievements so far and look forward to seeing what the future holds for the group and for Maddy."

It is hoped that the event will encourage and inspire people to take a more active role defending human rights.

For more information about the Sedbergh Amnesty Youth Group, follow them on Twitter @SedberghAmnesty