A teenager who ended up in hospital during her National Citizen's Service has been rewarded for her dedication to the scheme.

Georgia Seggie, from Brampton, was among more than 800 youngsters who picked up their certificates at graduation ceremonies at Rheged near Penrith on Saturday.

The 16-year-old was given an additional award for Most Contribution.

Speaking about her NCS experience, Georgia, who was watched on proudly by her dad Andrew, said: "We were out on a hike and I got really bad pains in my tummy.

"I had a cyst on one of my ovaries so I was in hospital from the Thursday morning to the following Tuesday night.

"My mum had to come because we were in Wales. Jack [Todd, of NCS] stayed with me for the first bit until my mum got there. I was on the phone 24/7 to the NCS lot. It was a bit hard."

Working towards hosting an afternoon tea for their social action plan at Belah Community Centre, Georgia had stayed up until midnight baking cakes.

She said it feel like all the effort and time she put in had been recognised and that the most important thing she's learned was the value of teamwork.

Penrith-based personal development and career guidance organisation Inspira runs NCS across Cumbria and Lancashire, reaching more than 4,000 young people.

The scheme, open to all those in year 11 preparing to leave school and backed by the government, runs through the summer. Shortened versions of the programme also run in this month and are available to sign up to now.

It involves groups of teenagers completing a residential week of outdoor adventures and a week living together in their home towns or areas, learning more about their communities.

They then also must look to identify, research and plan their own social action project to help a good cause or charity, making a positive impact on their neighbourhood.

John Simpson, Inspira's NCS coordinator for Carlisle and Eden Schools, said it is a fantastic opportunity for young people to get involved in something different to help with their development into adulthood.

"Today is all about them coming together and looking back and reflecting on what they've achieved and celebrating it as a collective," he said.

"In the time I've been at Inspira NCS has grown. This year we've had our biggest summer yet. Next summer, I would imagine will be even bigger. It's becoming so popular now."

Another award-winner from the north and Eden intake was Callum Walton-Stevenson, of Newtown Road, Carlisle, who volunteered with the British Heart Foundation for his social action.

The 17-year-old, who is studying level 2 performing arts at Carlisle College, was given the Most Developed award.

"It was just a load of fun," he told the News & Star. "I feel like I've become more independent and I feel like I've really come out of my shell since doing NCS.

"I'm feeling really happy because I never expected that I would get this."

Jason Milligan, of Denton Holme, who is enrolled on Carlisle United's Futsal Scholarship, enjoyed making new friends and taking part in activities offered by the scheme.

The 16-year-old's mum Sandra Dalgleish thought NCS was valuable.

"It gets them out the house and gets them into things they wouldn't normally do: opportunities that they would maybe not have had chance to do," she said.

Nelson Thomlinson sixth former Sophie Connolly, 16, of Mawbray, near Silloth, said: "[The residential] was really good and you were really proud of yourself when your finished."

For her social action plan they did a flash mob in Carlisle and raised £156 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

To get involved with NCS visit www.inspira.org.uk/home_posts/national-citizen-service .