A young girl with a passion for helping other people has been presented with this year’s Helston Young Citizen of the Year Award.

Teggen Holloway, a year nine pupil at Helston Community College, received her award at last week’s meeting of the town council.

She was nominated by her school, which wrote: “Tegenn is a polite and conscientious young lady who believes in fairness, equity and social justice.

“Tegenn has really found her niche in helping others, developing her leadership skills and boosting her confidence along the way.”

This includes a year nine charity group, Helston Charity Champions, which she set up herself and leads meetings of every week after school.

Recently she organised a sponsored cycle, in which four young girls cycled 42miles in a day to raise money for World Vision and help give aid to Syrian refugees.

Teggen also organised a shoebox appeal, and with the help of All Saints Church in Truro sent 50 shoeboxes to children less fortunate than herself.

“Her commitment to helping others is the passion that drives her,” added the school.

Modest Teggen, however, told the Helston Packet that she was also accepting the award on behalf of her friends Ella, Ellie and Phoebe who sat on the charity group with her.

She said: “It came as quite a surprise, as I didn’t realise I was nominated. I was really pleased. It’s not just me though, there are three other people as well.”

Mayor Mike Thomas, who is the third mayor to oversee the award, set up by councillor John Boase, said: “This is always a high point of any mayor’s time as mayor of Helston.”

Teggen was presented with her award by last year’s recipient Leanna Williams, who has helped raise thousands of pounds for CLIC Sargent, including through a national TV appeal.

Leanna made the news again last week after setting up a letter writing service Daisy Letters, giving support to children facing difficult times around the world.