A RETIRED eye doctor from Inverclyde who has worked with charities across the globe to help thousands of people has launched his Young Citizen of the Year Award for 2024.

Dr Sadhu Gupta, MBE, and the Gourock Rotary Club are hoping to once again celebrate local young people who are making a huge difference in the community.

He was joined by last year's winner Rhys McCole, who also went on to win a Rotary UK peacemaker award on the back of the honour.

Gourock Rotary Club set up the award to recognise the outstanding contribution of Dr Gupta, who has devoted his life to helping gift sight to people in the poorest countries in the world.

Dr Gupta, 80, who lives in Kilmacolm, said: "I am so proud to be launching the Young Citizen of the Year Award again.

"I am very honoured to have it in my name. There are so many young people locally who do wonderful work."

The  Delhi-born eye specialist juggled his work in Inverclyde with charity work in clinics in places such as Nepal and Ethopia.

His work is internationally recognised, with a scholorship in his name in the Royal College of London and also a clinic named after him in Delhi.

Dr Gupta was joined at the launch by his wife Dr Pushpa Gupta, 75, a pediatrician, and both have made significant conributions in Inverclyde

The first ever winner of the Gourock Rotary Young Citizen of the Year was cancer charity campaigner Molly Cuddihy.

She was followed by young boxer Rhys McCole who helps take youngsters off the streets and gives them a fighting chance in sport.

Nominations are now open for 2024 with the organisation looking to celebrate the vital contribution young people make and recognise positive role models.

The Young Citizen Award is open to anyone under the age of 25, and those shortlisted will be put forward to the National Finals of the Rotary Young Citizens Awards.

To nominate a young person email Norman Pettigrew at gourockrotary@gmail.com