A Balham schoolgirl has won this year’s Wandsworth Young Person of the Year Award for her campaigns to help students with gender and sexuality issues, writes Matt Urquhart.

Mia Burgess, 18, was recognised for her work at the Wandsworth Civic Centre on April 19, and she walked away with a trophy, certificate and cheque for £500 for her work.

Mia has worked with the charity ‘Educate and Celebrate’ which is a programme that helps teachers, students and governors to tackle homophobia.

She also made a film about gender identity which was used in school PSHE lessons and is a representative for LGBT support group, Stonewall, at her school, Chestnut Grove Academy.

Mia said: “I am so humbled and overwhelmed to win such an outstanding award and very proud to be sitting among some inspiring, talented, intelligent young people.

“I hope to continue to inspire children to be comfortable in their own skin.”

Other special awards were handed out at the celebration evening including Young Musician of the Year Award which was won by 16-year-old Bethany Reeves and the Award for Outstanding Achievement went to Tane Caubo who is a great young footballer.

The awards were attended by the Mayor of Wandsworth, Cllr Nicola Nardelli.

The event was organised by the Young Person of the Year Trustees in conjunction with Wandsworth Youth Service and is funded by the Rotary Club, Wandsworth Community Safety Trust and the Keen Group.