A WORCESTER teenager who has raised an estimated £150,000 for charity and works in the voluntary sector has been named Worcester Young Citizen of the Year.

Liam Mackin, aged 17, who is deaf and blind, raised the money through his work with the charity Living Paintings, which produces tactile images.

He also raises funds by writing poetry and has had two books published, the proceeds of which were donated to Alstroms UK to help raise awareness of the condition.

The youngster also helps train adults who want to work in the voluntary sector with people with a disability, as well as working with the Children’s Society.

Liam, a student at New College Worcester, was chosen as Worcester Young Citizen of the Year by the Rotary Club of Worcester Vigornia for his energy and determination in the work he does in the community.

He was awarded a trophy by Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Dr David Tibbutt, during a ceremony at Worcester’s Guildhall and presented with a cheque for £50.

Coun Tibbutt also presented certificates to the Rotary Young Citizen entrants.

Barbara Chapman, Young Citizen organiser, said: “Liam is an inspiration. He goes out of his way to support others, a truly worthy winner of the Rotary Young Citizen Award.”

Liam, who was nominated for the award by the assistant principal of New College, will now go forward to the national competition alongside the other eight Worcester entrants. They are: Bethan Minett, 13, Samuel Sadler, 17, Timothy Gleed, 19, Tania Rai, 19, Alexander Gormley and Mohammad Bakathir, both 18, Red Hill Primary School Community Group and Ahmad Bostan, 18, who was also nominated by the assistant principal of New College.

Rotary Young Citizen is a Rotary project run in association with BBC News 24 to celebrate the positive citizenship, good work and responsibilities carried out by young people in their community and further afield.

There are five awards in the national competition, each consisting of a trophy, a cash prize of £500 and a visit to the BBC studios in London.

Every nominee will receive a personalised certificate by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland to acknowledge the good work they carry out. Nominations for 2013 are already being accepted and can be sent to vigreply@gmail.com.