Scottish Catholic Observer

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver surprised 10-year-old Martha Payne with the exciting news that she is a Pride of Britain Award winner last week (above left) and the schoolgirl received her award from Great British Bake Off stars Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry during a star-studded ceremony hosted by Carol Vorderman at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on Monday night (above right).

The inspirational girl has been named Young Fundraiser of the Year in the UK annual event, which celebrates the achievements of truly remarkable people who make our Britain a better place.

Martha was taking part in a cookery class at Jamie Oliver’s north London restaurant Fifteen when the celebrity chef made a surprise appearance to let her know the good news.

“I got such a shock,” Martha said. “ I’m really nervous about going to the awards, but I’m excited at the same time,” she said ahead of Monday night’s ceremony.

Martha won the award for her NeverSeconds blog, which has raised more than £130,000 for Mary’s Meals. In April last year, Martha started a daily blog to showcase her school dinners.

After her local council in Argyll temporarily banned her from taking photos of her meals, her cause became a global phenomenon.

She then realised she could use her blog to raise cash for starving children and asked readers to donate online to the charity Mary’s Meals, which organises school feeding projects in poor countries and communities around the world.

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—This story ran in full, with additional photographs, in the October 4 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.