A community-minded 18 year-old from Whittlesey who has fundraised for a cancer charity close to her heart and devoted nearly 300 hours to St John Ambulance has been nominated for a prestigious award.

Cambs Times: YOPEY 2015.YOPEY 2015. (Image: Archant)

Abbie Wiles, of Low Cross, is on the shortlist for the KISS Communications Young People of the Year (YOPEY), which showcases young positive role models in Cambridgeshire.

Abbie was nominated by Alison Brown, head of sixth form at Sir Harry Smith College.

When she was in Year 11 Abbie was head girl - one of her roles was to be involved in the school’s fundraising efforts for Children in Need.

Another role has been organising the sixth-form ball in June and fundraising for that and Teenage Cancer Trust, in memory of Shannon Corr, a former pupil of the school who died from cancer last year.

Abbie is the young cadet leader in the Whittlesey division of St John. She helps to organise meetings, run sessions, takes new members under her wing to get them involved and helps with their membership awards. She also does public duties at various events where people may need help.

Since joining as a six-year-old, she has nearly amassed 300 hours voluntary service.

Her skills are put to good use in a part-time job where she works for the 111 non-emergency medical call system for up to 10 hours a week. She also has a part-time job at a shop.

Mrs Brown said: “Abbie is an excellent role model to younger students and gives up her time willingly to support good causes. She is a good pupil with high aspirations and highly organised.”

This year’s Cambs YOPEY is sponsored by KISS Communications of Cambridge, Lifeplus Europe of Eaton Socon, Hutchinson of Wisbech, Spearhead International of Burwell, Cambridge Regional College, TTP Group of Melbourn and Cambridge companies ARM and Stratagem, and exams group Cambridge Assessment.

The YOPEY charity has also received donations from Cambridgeshire County Council, The Micron Group of Ely, and Cresset of Litlington.

The awards ceremony will be held at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, in the autumn.

Do you know somebody who deserves the title Young Person of the Year? To nominate, logon to yopey.org or write, enclosing a stamped-addressed-envelope, to YOPEY, Woodfarm Cottage, Bury Road, Stradishall, Newmarket CB8 8YN for a paper entry form. Individuals can nominate themselves. Entries close on July 31.