TWO girls have been nominated for a community award for their work helping others.

Christina Lainchbury, 18, and Roxanne Whitmore, 11, devote countless hours to helping other children in a deprived area of Southend.

They have both been nominated for the Essex Young Person of the Year, which recognises young people who volunteer their time to make their communities better.

Christina, of York Road, and Roxanne, of Kursaal Way, were nominated by Hayley Duff, team leader at Turning Tides Team (Triple T) youth clubs.

Hayleymet Christina soon after the clubs opened eight years ago and she has progressed through the clubs’ junior wardens and triple teen programmes, both of which help youngsters get involved in positive activities and feel proud about where they live.

Hayley said: “Christina has struggledwith her confidence, but has gone from being a triple teen to actually volunteering at the club. She is now one of my best volunteers, reliable and willing to learn.

Speaking about Roxanne, Hayley added: “She is a positive role model for other children and encourages others to join and have confidence to take part. She befriends all the new children who join. She also helps out with fundraising events so can raise money to keep the clubs going for the future.”

Roxanne’s mum, Vicky, is very supportive of her daughter’s work.

She said: “She loves the youth club and all the things they do, like going to the fire station, or Southend Pier, first-aid training, drug safety and film night.

“She collects money by packing shopping at Sainsbury. They do it a couple of times a year and normally raise around £300. All the money goes back into the club.”

There will be at least two Essex Young People of the Year. A senior YOPEY, aged 18-25, winning £500, and a junior YOPEY, aged 10-17, winning £300.

Either prize can be won by an individual or group and the winners have to invest most of their winnings in their good cause, but can keep £100 to treat themselves.