A girl from Woodford Green who has spent the past two years raising money for different charities is now being nominated for the Recorder/Redbridge Rotary Club’s Young Citizen Award.

Tia Burns, 14, held cake sales, made bracelets, fronted a presentation at Canary Wharf and most recently cut off her hair so she could donate it to the Little Princess Trust.

She has now raised thousands of pounds for charities that do work across the UK but also local good causes such as Eden’s Trust, based in Redbridge.

Tia, who attends Trinity Catholic High School, Mornington Road, Woodford Green, said: “I wanted to do these kind of things as I just want to help people as much as I can.”

She helped to raise a total of £2,980 for Cancer Research UK when she took part in the Race for Life in 2011 and 2012 when she ran alongside her mother Cherry.

Tia and her mum also went to Woodlarks Camp Site Trust in Farnham, Surrey, last year to help children with special needs meet Father Christmas.

Cherry, 37, said: “I’m obviously so proud of her and it’s nicer nowadays that children want to give instead of just take.”

Tia has a personal connection with Eden’s Trust, a bereavement charity, as Eden Galvani-Skeete, aged six, who it is named after, was a school friend of hers before she was killed in a tragic accident while on holiday in Turkey in 2006.

It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that the reality of the loss of her friend dawned on her and now she does all she can to help others.

Elli Galvani, chief executive of Eden’s Trust, said: “We are really thrilled to have Tia helping us to raise much-needed funds for our programme of support groups for those who have lost a child.”

Cherry said: “A lot of children do so much good nowadays and don’t always get enough credit for it, but I’m just happy that she is now.”

Tia would now like to organise more events associated with her school by holding dress down days in aid of Eden’s Trust.

Cherry added: “She’s one of those people who would help an old lady in the street if she needed help.”

The Recorder/Redbridge Rotary Club Young Citizen Award aims to find people aged 25 and under who deserve to be commended for their contributions to the community.

Each month, a winner will be chosen for the award, sponsored by the Exchange Ilford shopping centre, and will receive £40 to spend at the Exchange retailer of their choice.

An overall winner will then be chosen next year and will receive £400 to spend.

To nominate a Redbridge youngster, email zjan.shirinian@archant.co.uk.