A TEENAGER who has raised thousands of pounds for charity has been rewarded for her dedication.

Aimee Wright is this week’s local hero, and she has been supporting Demelza Hospice Care for Children for years as her brother Jordan, 18, who has duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, uses the charity’s services.

The 16-year-old has raised more than £5,000 by organising events at her former school, Helenswood Academy, where she was deputy head girl in her final year.

Aimee, of Thomas Brassey Close, St Leonards, regularly arranged fundraising days for the whole school, with events including balloon releases, cake sales, a staff talent competition, dance and singing contests.

She even made a ‘tree of hope’ for people to hang leaves on and managed to get five of her teachers to take part in the Hastings Half Marathon to support Demelza last year.

Aimee has already been honoured after staff from the academy nominated her for the Child of Sussex Award and she won the Community Award category for her fundraising.

She is now a student at Bexhill College and went along to a ceremony at The Grand hotel in Brighton on October 31 with her mother Sarah, her brother and several teachers from her former school.

Her mother said: “Aimee has always supported Demelza because they do so much for Jordan and the family.

“We are really proud of her and she was honoured to receive the award. It was a really lovely evening.”