A 15 year-old girl from Farnworth is the first recipient of a new award by Bolton Soroptimists which celebrates the achievements of local girls and young women.

Ellie Gillies, a student at St James’s Church of England High School in Farnworth, became the inaugural Young Achiever of the Year thanks to her work in the local community and fundraising for charities.

She worked as a volunteer with young people who had been involved in anti-social behaviour, helping provide activities and earning an award along the way from Bolton at Home in its Making a Stand campaign.

Ellie, the daughter of former local councillor Jean Gillies and husband Matt, undertook fundraising for Fortalice, the town’s refuge for women and children escaping domestic abuse. She also delivered items to make residents’ lives a little better.

Ellie gives up her time to teach one-to-one dance lessons to children suffering stress and anxiety and who are too scared to be with other children. This has resulted in some of the children re-engaging in education.

The new award was aimed at highlighting the work of local girls aged between 11 and 17 in the areas of service to community or school, personal achievement in sport or outstanding achievement in any school subject.

The President of Bolton Soroptimists, Carole Swarbrick, commented: “We had some very impressive nominations and it’s good to be reminded that young girls in Bolton are achieving a great deal, whether as volunteers or by reaching personal goals. Many thanks for all the nominations.”

A delighted Ellie stated: “I am extremely proud and feel privileged to have won this award. I want to continue with the work I do in the community and, in the current climate, children need as much support as possible.

“I learned all these values from my mum and have worked with her since being very young and have seen the work that she does that no-one knows anything about. My sisters are very much the same and I can only see the results of what good this is doing for them.”

Mrs Gillies added: “We as parents are super-proud of Ellie. She has achieved so much in her 14 years within the community and I really feel that she deserved this recognition.”