A HONLEY teenager has won an award and £500 for a good cause in recognition of his charity work.

Richard Short, 16, a pupil at Greenhead College, was one of four finalists in the Yorkshire round of the Lions Youth Awards.

The awards are held annually to celebrate community work done by young people.

Richard and fellow finalists Jenny Anderton, of York, Robert Moore, from Castleford, and Sarah McNally, of Leeds, were all nominated by Lions clubs in their areas.

They were then picked for the regional final, which was held at the Cedar Court Hotel, Ainley Top, yesterday.

Each gave a short presentation about their voluntary work at the event, hosted by Huddersfield and District Lions.

Lions members chose Richard for the regional round after hearing about his work at Huddersfield's Shelter charity shop and Holly Bank disabled Scouts group.

Richard received a trophy and £500 to go towards a good cause of his choice.

He will speak about his work at the Huddersfield Lions district convention in February.

He will also go to the national final in February.

The winner of the national final

wins a free place at the Lions International Youth Camp.

Bob Armitage, of Huddersfield Lions, said: "It is the experience of a lifetime, worth competing for.

"The awards are important, but it is hard to find people to compete. We spend all our time telling our children not to boast - but to enter they have to.

"I hope this year's awards will get more young people involved in voluntary work and more Lions clubs involved in entering candidates."

Richard started his charity work because of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

He was aiming for his bronze award when he began volunteering at a Scout group for disabled youngsters at Holly Bank two year ago.

He attends the group every Tuesday. It was the Scout group which nominated him for the Lions award.

Richard also started volunteering at Huddersfield town centre's Shelter charity shop every Saturday as part of his Duke of Edinburgh bronze award.

He is now working towards his gold DoE award.

Of his charity work, he said: "I enjoy the work. You get to do a lot of different things all the time."

Sarah, 15, was nominated by staff at the Gateway club in Rothwell.

The club is a day centre for people with physical and mental disabilities and Sarah helps there every week.

Robert helps with Fast - Fresh Air Activities for Summer Time - in Castleford.

It is a group which promotes day trips and outdoor activities for young people.

Jenny, 17, was nominated for her work with disabled children at Snappy - Special Needs and Play Provision in York.