February 22, 2001 11:45: BRAVE student Kathrine Spriggs is to receive a national award at the House of Commons after battling through a debilitating illness to pass her GCSE exams.

Kathrine, 17, of The Crescent, Princes Risborough, has suffered from ulcerative colitis for most of her life and had to sit some of her exams in hospital.

Her illness means she is often physically exhausted but it has not stopped her from leading a full and active life.

"I don't want it to hold me back," Kathrine said.

Kathrine's refusal to make allowances for her condition has helped her win an AOL Child of Resolution Award.

She is one of only 11 award winners and will be going to the House of Commons on March 6 to receive it.

Kathrine, daughter of proud parents, Stephen and Sue, said: "I heard I won the award about three weeks ago. I was very surprised and very pleased."

Special needs teacher Pamela Green, of Princes Risborough School, Merton Road, nominated Kathrine for the award.

In her supporting statement, Mrs Green said of Kathrine: "Her commitment to her work during the time at this school has been an example to us all."

She added: "There were times when I knew she was physically exhausted from her day in school yet when I visited her at home after school, she was in her bedroom working or revising."

Kathrine had to take time off to go to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) throughout her schooling.

She managed to delay her admission to hospital to take some of her exams until doctors insisted she come into hospital on June 6.

But even that did not stop Kathrine from sitting her Science, Child Development and English Language examinations in the hospital.

"It was very strange," Kathrine said. "I had to do the exams in an interview room."

Kathrine's hard work paid off. She got eight GCSEs, with an A in English.

Kathrine, who is now studying A-levels in the sixth form, paid tribute to Mrs Green for all her work she has done in making sure Kathrine can lead a normal life.

"She's always been there for me," she said.