A DANCER received a special award named in memory of an “inspiring” teenager who lost her life in a car crash.

Millom's Ellen Armitage, of Natasha Harfoot School of Dance, scooped the Skye Mitchell Inspiration Award at an awards evening, part of a Christmas dance show at the school.

The prize was named after the late Millom teenager Skye Mitchell, who the school said had inspired people in the area.

The former beauty pageant queen, who campaigned against bullying in schools and raised money for local charities, died alongside her friend Caitlin Huddleston in a collision last year when they were both aged 18.

Ellen received the award after garnering the most votes among fellow dancers at the Millom-based school.

Skye’s mum Sharon Fry was there on the night to present the award to Ellen.

She said: “I was really pleased to go along and present the trophy.

“Our A Skye Full of Stars charity paid for it.

“It is a small star and a big star. To show, in the spirit of Skye, that you can start off as a small star and be inspired to become a big one.

“It was nice to hand out the award to Ellen and to honour Skye but it was also emotional.

“That they named the award after Skye was so nice.”

The Skye Full of Stars charity also recently presented a cheque for £600 to the Millom Community Track.

Ms Fry and her friend Justine Mitchell, Skye’s aunt, raised the money after leading a group on a 30-day cycling challenge in September that raised £1,200 all together.

They covered 300 miles across the month.

It saw them ride around Millom and Haverigg every day throughout the month and travelling further afield to Carnforth, Morecambe and Heysham at weekends.

The other half of the total will be kept by the charity, which gives out grants to young people in Millom and Furness to help them realise their dreams.

Ms Fry encouraged people to apply for grants from the charity online.

It has given out £1,000 to people and groups since it launched around a year ago.

A number of events to honour Skye, including community fashion shows, have taken place over this time.

Recipients of grant money include Millom under 18s rugby players Charlie Emslie and Connor Terrill, Millom National Children’s Choir and a number of students, who received money towards equipment for university.

The charity stressed that it has funds but is looking for people to apply for the grants by visiting its website.