West Hatch High School student Arjun Kuhaendran is Epping Forest District Council's Young Citizen of the Year.

He received the accolade from district council chairman Jeane Lea at the council's annual civic awards dinner held at the Marriott Hotel, Waltham Abbey, on Friday.

Arjun is the Chigwell school's Charity Ambassador.

His nomination described him as "selfless, caring and an inspiration to his fellow students and teachers".

In the past year alone he has organised various events and raffles for a wide range of causes including Crisis at Christmas, Water Aid and Macmillan Cancer Support.

His activities, which are supported by fellow students, have included cake sales (for Macmillan Cancer Support), a car wash (for Water Aid) and a dance for International Day of Peace.

His nomination added: "He is a shining example of how significant changes can be made by those that are bold enough, in a short time and his teachers say he has made charitable activity ‘cool’."

West Hatch High School Headteacher Frances Howarth said: "We are delighted to hear of Arjun's success. He is such a deserving student, his energy levels are infectious as is his creativity for new ways of engaging his peers in fundraising.

"He is highly organised, very driven and will go far in life. We are very proud of his success."

The school's marketing and communications officer, Caroline Haines, said: "Arjun is an inspiration to other young people, showing that you can have fun and make friends whilst putting others first. 

"I am delighted and honoured to have attended the awards ceremony as his guest."

Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing said: "I congratulate Arjun who has done so much good work for his school and through his support of a wide variety of good causes."