The efforts of a Brightlingsea youngster who raised £1,000 for charity by running round Hurst Green 100 times have been recognised in the Tendring Youth Awards.

Earlier this year, nine-year-old Elsie Pryer was inspired to fundraise for Porridge and Pens – the locally-based charity which supports children in Ghana with food and education at its Brightlingsea School, and also runs a programme to mentor teenage girls.

Elsie pictured lapping Hurst Green

Hearing that the charity wanted to build a bridge to make it easier for children to get to school in the rainy season, Elsie decided to do a sponsored run around Hurst Green and ran nearly 15 miles in one day to complete her challenge – despite wet weather.

At a glitzy presentation evening to recognise young people’s “enthusiasm, determination and passion for their community” in Clacton’s Princes Theatre on October 19, Elsie was presented with the youth award for Community Improvement.

“It was a big surprise and I was very pleased,” said Elsie, who says she want to help raise more money for for Porridge and Pens and is working out how to use her £250 prize to help this happen.

• For more information about Porridge and Pens, visit the charity’s website  or Facebook page.