Rachel Everett, 24, from Emerson Street, Lancaster, was presented with the Above and Beyond award by the National Association of Student Employment Services at a ceremony in London last week.

Rachel, who is in the second year of a part-time MA English Literary course, also works as a part-time project assistant on the Lancaster University Enterprise Champion project, which supports entrepreneurial students to start their own companies.

It was her work on the project, as well as her on-going commitment to the Barnardo’s Society, that saw Rachel, who is originally from Thirsk in Yorkshire, win the award.

Simon Harrison, Lancaster University’s Enterprise Champion project manager, said: “Rachel is a dream to work with. More often than not she second guesses my requests, exceeds expectations and works near miracles. A more fitting winner of this award I cannot imagine.”

During her time as president of the local branch of Barnado’s she has increased revenues to record levels.

Mr Harrison said: “Clearly Rachel is very capable and industrious, but throughout this time she has continued to contribute to the Barnado’s Society activities, helped co-ordinate Wayne Hemmingway’s Vintage Festival in Morecambe, and consistently won the hearts and stomachs of the department with her home-baked goodies. Although she frequently works until late in the evenings, she is always in bright and early in the morning, unflappably positive, and lends buoyancy to the team during our most stressful periods.”

More information about the Lancaster University Enterprise Champion project can be found at http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/enterprisecentre/