A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD pupil of Dunster First School received a highly commended certificate in the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards for the way she has coped with a serious illness.

Rowena Smith, has had a kidney condition called Nephrotic Syndrome since the age of three.

She has to take steroids and other long-term medicines to cope with the illness, leaving her very fragile at times.

But, her mum Corrina, who nominated her, said she has always kept her sense of humour and has continued to go to school, even though a simple cold or stomach upset can make her very ill.

Corrina added: “She deserves recognition for the challenges she has faced for one so young.”

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