A teenager who raised £25,000 campaigning for her disabled sister to go to a special college has won an award.

Gemma Jacobson, a pupil at Haberdashers Askes School for Girls, in Aldenham Road, Elstree, rode 200 miles over seven months with her sister, Talya, on a tandem tricycle.

Gemma, 13, was presented with the Diana Award at a ceremony last week after being nominated by Hendon-based charity Kisharon, where her mother, Dr Beverly Jacobson, is chief executive.

Talya, now 20, has cerebral palsy, a severe visual impairment and learning disabilities. She wanted to attend a special school in Manchester but her local authority refused to pay.

Through Gemma’s efforts, Kisharon was able to secure match funding from a charitable foundation.

The cash raised by the pair will be used to create a helpline with charities Jweb and Langdon to advise other families in similar situations.

Dr Jacobson said: “Gemma is a truly amazing sister to Talya. She set about trying to help her in her usual quiet way but exceeded all our expectations in what she was able to achieve through persistence and incredible determination.

“She is hugely deserving of this honour and I couldn’t be more proud of her.”

Gemma wrote hundreds of letters asking her family and friends to support the challenge.

Over the course of seven months, the duo notched up 200 miles – the distance from their home in Elstree to the college in Manchester where Talya is now a student.

Gemma also made donations to Tikkun Africa and Mapledown School, in Cricklewood, which lent her the tandem tricycle.

Her award was presented by members of girl group Neon Jungle and Diana Award chief executive Tessy Ojo.

Gemma said: “I really enjoyed the ceremony – it was an amazing experience.”