AN inspirational young charity champion is once again recognising the community in Inverclyde with her own awards.

University student Lean Canning who has devoted her young life to helping others is now hosting her fourth Inspirational Awards Inverclyde 2024  in aid of charity.

Nominations are now open and hopes to once again hoping to attract finalists like last year's charity of the year Safe Harbour.

Leah CanningLeah Canning (Image: George Munro)

Former Inverclyde Academy pupil Leah, who lives in McLeod Street, said: "We have attracted so many nominations so far. It gets bigger and better every year.

"I love recognising all the wonderful people of all ages and charities locally. Last year we donated money to Safe Harbour, a really incredible charity and the founder Duncan Shaw is wonderful.

"It is something that is so close to my heart.

"We like to make our awards night as special as possible."

Leah has had her own health battles after she was born premature and left with hypermobility and other complications including a heart condition.

The former Former Miss UK and Miss Teen Scotland beauty pageant, who is now 23, also works at the NHS while putting herself through business studies at university.

She has raised thousands of pounds for charity over the years.

Previous winners of her awards include Tony Phillips and Port Glasgow fundraiser Helen Coyle who shared the Canning Memorial Award. 

(Image: contributed)

This award was set up in memory of both Leah's nan also called Leah and great grandmother Margaret, who were massive influences in her life.  

Money raised on the night of the awards will be donated  to the charity of the year.

She is looking for nominations for Young Citizen, Inverclyde Citizen, Senior Citizen, Community Organisation, Community Contribution, Community Volunteer, Charity Organisation and  Photographer.

To nominate someone visit the Inverclyde Inspirational Awards facebook page. Judges on the panel are former Chamber of Commerce president Gavin McDonagh, Andrew Bowman, businessman and businesswoman Lizzie Todd.

The awards bash will take place in the Clyde Suite, Greenock, on Friday September 13.

As well as running Inverclyde Inspirational Inverclyde, Leah was also asked to launch one in Renfrewshire.