A TEENAGER who has raised more than £10,000 for good causes was named Manchester's Young Citizen of the Year at an award ceremony.

Victoria Grabowski, 17, a medical student from Bury, was crowned champion in the 13th and final year of the competition last night.

Victoria, who is preparing for A-levels to secure a university place to study medicine, is head of her school's charities committee and works after lessons as a volunteer with children with disabilities and learning difficulties.

Victoria, who was selected from 12 finalists who won local heats, said: "I didn't expect to win. I'm still in a daze."

She was also nominated for her work with the Whizz Kids organisation, which helps young wheelchair users.

The Young Citizen Award scheme, backed by the Manchester Evening News, was established by Greater Manchester police to promote positive and inspiring young people.

Chief Constable Michael Todd, who presented the award, said: "It was really hard to pick a winner, but the judges were very impressed with all of Victoria's work.

Holiday prize

"Young people often get a bad name so it's a pleasure to recognise what these youngsters have done."

Victoria received £1,000 from Barclays, which she is donating to the RED centre in Bury where she works with disabled children. She also won a holiday with spending money, courtesy of My Travel and Manchester Airport.

The other finalists were: Kirsty Ashton, 13, of Wythenshawe, who overcame a medical condition to raise money to send sick children to Lapland; Becky Caffrey, 16, of Oldham, who worked to improve race relations in her town; Simon Timmins, 15, of Stockport, who runs a cub and junior golf group; Bhavnisa Chauhan, 17, and Rakhee Chavda, 16, of Bolton, who set up a counselling service at school and confronted bullying; Paul Booth, 18, of Clayton, who coached disadvantaged youngsters in football; George Bukhari, 14, of Burnage, who cares for housebound pensioners; Kerry Edwards, 16, of Swinton, who raised cash in memory of a schoolmate who died of cancer; Matthew Atherton, 17, of Wigan, a police cadet who works to make pensioners safe in their homes; Marie Murphy, 18, of Hyde, who runs a youth club and Danny Robinson, 17, of Rochdale, who helped renovate a community centre.

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