An 11-year-old student who helped raise more than £110,000 for Haven House Children’s Hospice after losing her sister to cancer has been named ‘Best Young Fundraiser of the Year’ at the Institute of Fundraising Awards.

Isabella Field received the prestigious prize at a ceremony hosted by comedian Ed Byrne at The Troxy in London on Tuesday 29 November.

Isabella, who attends Woodbridge High School, began fundraising for Haven House after her eight-year-old sister, Molly, died at home from an inoperable brain tumour six months after diagnosis in September 2010.

The morning after Molly passed away Isabella and her parents, Mel and Steve, went to stay at Haven House.

Molly was laid to rest in the Butterfly Suite which enabled the family to say their final goodbyes.

Haven House left a lasting impact on the family with Isabella, Mel and Steve, together raising more than £110,000 for the hospice in Woodford Green in the past six years.

Isabella has continued to receive support from Buddies, Haven House’s sibling support group.

The family has put on a whole host of community events in aid of Haven House. Events over the years include a music concert in memory of Molly, a summer ball and several quiz nights.

Mike Palfreman, Chief Executive of Haven House, said: “We are so grateful to Isabella and her family for the incredible support they have shown for our hospice over many years.

“To receive an Institute of Fundraising Award is an amazing achievement and we are so proud of Isabella.

“She is a wonderful role model for young people in our local area and through Isabella’s fundraising we have been able to support other families with life-limited children.”

Mel Field said: "I was so unbelievably proud, yet again, of my gorgeous Isabella and she seemed so grown up this time.

“When people approached her either at our table or after she had won, she handled herself with such maturity and grace, always talking so highly of Haven House and of course her sister Molly."

The efforts of the Field family have been recognised far and wide.

In 2015, Mel was named Community Champion at the Pride of Essex Awards and Isabella won a Young Citizen Award.

Rotary International, the organisers of the Young Citizen Awards were so impressed by Isabella that last summer they flew her and Mel to Sao Paulo, Brazil, to present to 17,000 Rotarians about their incredible fundraising journey.

If you have been inspired by Isabella and would like to support our work please visit our Time to Make a Difference Page.