Young people who have gone the extra mile by volunteering and fundraising have been recognised at a special awards event.

Almost 40 young local heroes were honoured by St Albans Mayor, Cllr Annie Brewster, at the first St Albans District Centre for Voluntary Service Youth Volunteering Awards in the civic centre.

Six of the young volunteers received outstanding awards for their fundraising and volunteer work. They were:

Connor Brown, 17, who ran a marathon in South America to raise £2,500 for Neuroblastoma Children’s Cancer Alliance.

Katy Shreeves, 15, and Hannah Tilbrook, 16, who rescued the 12th and 21st Girl Guide Troop from closure by running events after their troop leader fell ill.

William Pettitt, 16, who volunteers with Special Olympics, the charity that provides sporting opportunities for people with a learning disability.

Holly Simons, who leads St Albans Girls School Dragon’s Apprentice Challenge activities to raise money for charity through business initiatives.

Kieran Zielinski, 16, who is a volunteer studio assistant with Radio Verulam and has become the station’s youngest-ever qualified presenter.

The Mayor said: “What these young volunteers have achieved is extremely impressive, especially for the wide range of volunteering they have brought to the district.

“Young people today are under great pressure to do well at school, to fit in with their peer group and to prepare themselves for work. But each nominee for these awards has found time to make a real difference to other people’s lives while developing new skills.”