Former BCoT student Emma Cope has beaten fundraisers from all over the country to win the Young Fundraiser of the Year Award.

Emma studied art and design (fashion and clothing) at BCoT and is now studying a BA (Hons) in fashion design at Birmingham City University.

She was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome about six years ago and since then has been trying to raise money and awareness.

Emma’s fundraising began in 2009 with a sponsored walk.

She said: “We started off by organising a seven-mile sponsored walk around my home town of Tadley.

“Our original target was £1,000, but we ended up raising £19,000.

“I was so overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity and support that I decided to carry on.”

Since beginning her fundraising, Emma and her family have organised charity balls, comedy nights, quiz nights, skydiving and much more.

To date, she has raised more than £50,000 for the Nephrotic Syndrome Trust (NeST) and intends to continue her fundraising while studying for a degree.

Emma was invited to the awards ceremony held at the British Film Institute in London.

During the evening, it was announced that she had won the award following a vote conducted on Facebook.

She said: “It took a good few days to sink in. The support has been pretty overwhelming.

“I am just so grateful to everyone who voted and who has supported the charity. I could never have imagined that the first sponsored walk would have turned into this.”