VOLUNTARY work with street children in Kenya has helped Sarah Gooda achieve the Duke of Edinburgh scheme's highest award.

The 19-year-old student at Canterbury Christ Church University College received the coveted gold award at a presentation ceremony at St James' Palace.

Sarah, of Cromwell Road, Canterbury, achieved the honour by volunteering to not only take the award but set up and organise the scheme at her old school, Dover Girls' Grammar.

Every day for 18 months she helped 60 girls in two groups through the syllabus before leaving the school at the end of the summer term 2001 to study for a music degree at Christ Church.

Part of her service was spent in Kenya where she did voluntary work with street children. She also attempted to climb Mount Kenya, scaling 14,000 feet before suffering altitude sickness and aborting the climb.

She said: "I would recommend everyone aged between 14 and 25 to do the award," said Sarah who is doing a course in theatre stage management.