A TEENAGER'S dedication to his family has won him the first ever Lincolnshire Young Citizen of the Year award.
Callum Corder, 13, a pupil at The Deepings School, was chosen as the winner by Lincolnshire County Council in recognition of the amount of help and assistance he willingly gives to his mother and grandparents.
His grandmother Maureen Corder, of Joan Wake Close, Market Deeping, who nominated Callum for the award, said: "He does all kinds of things for us.
"He was doing some gardening for me just last week. He picks up the vacuum cleaner, cleans out cupboards, he will do anything you want him to.
"He's a real help with jobs that are just a bit too much for me."
And Callum's mother, Lorraine, of The Lees, Deeping St James, agreed: "He does things that I find difficult, like cutting the lawns. He will always lend a helping hand."
Mrs Corder, who uses crutches after an accident six years ago and also suffers from ME, said it wasn't just helping out that kept him busy. Callum is also a keen musician, playing the drums and guitar and a keen sportsman, playing bad-minton, swimming, tennis and rollerblading.
Lorraine said: "He always goes to visit his grandparents off his own back. He doesn't need to be asked and he keeps them company and helps them out. He is just a genuinely helpful boy. I was thrilled when we learned he had won the award. He really deserves it."
Callum said: "I have helped my mum since I was six, just helping round the house, and I keep my grandma company.
"She likes to listen to me playing my guitar. Elvis is her favourite, so I play and sing some of his songs and she likes The Kooks."
The award scheme is a new county council initiative to highlight good citizenship. It includes awards for the citizen of the year and the community group of the year.
Callum received a certificate and £25 gift token during a ceremony at the council offices in Lincoln. He will be invited to lunch at the Lincolnshire Show next month as part of his prize. He said: "It was brilliant to go to Lincoln for the award. I met the Bishop of Lincoln and I'm looking forward to going to the Lincolnshire Show."
County council chairman David Dickinson said at the awards ceremony: "We have had a marvellous response to our first good citizens awards, with more than 60 nominations for people who are doing valuable and caring work in the community.
"The quality of life in Lincolnshire is enriched by countless people dedicated to helping those less fortunate than themselves and whose contributions go largely unnoticed."