Inspirational Katrina up for award (From Gazette)

Inspirational Katrina, from Clacton, up for Prince's Trust award

5:30pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in Clacton, Frinton & Walton

A PLUCKY woman is up for a prestigious young achiever award after defying the odds to overcome a disability.

Katrina Hammond, 22, of Fox Glove Close in Great Clacton, had been diagnosed with serious cerebral palsy and epilepsy by the age of five.

But she has now been named as a Prince’s Trust award finalist for her achievements.

Despite her disability, Katrina worked hard to stay in mainstream schooling, but after leaving school she has found it tough to find full-time work.

In a desperate bid to improve her employment prospects she joined a Prince’s Trust training course, spending two weeks working at Broomfield Hospital.

She is now volunteering as a teaching assistant as well as working with special needs children at Colchester Toy Library.

Katrina has been recognised for how far she has come by being named as a finalist in the awards, founded by Prince Charles.

She said: “I’m really honoured to be chosen as a finalist from hundreds of nominations.

“There are so many inspiring stories in there so it was a real surprise and I can’t wait to go to the ceremony."

Katrina will be up for the Young Achiever of the Year award at a ceremony in Cambridge on Monday.