A YOUNG person's champion has been celebrated nationally as an 'exceptional young person'.

Saeed Atcha, aged 20, won the Young Person of the Year Award given by Rotary International Great Britain and Ireland.

He was nominated for the award by the Rotary Club of Bolton Daybreak in recognition of his community work.

He set up Xplode a magazine for young people. Saeed then set up the ‘Employ’ strand of Xplode whereby the team of volunteers train other young people in employability skills and to date, nationally, Saeed and his team have helped over 2,000 young people better their employability prospects.

The organisation recently received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This led to Saeed being involved with the national Step up to Serve initiative, founded by HRH The Prince of Wales, aiming to double the level of participation of young people in helping others.

In addition to his magazine tasks, he has also worked as a broadcaster on Tower FM and more recently presents an evening show across twelve stations, broadcasting from Stoke on Trent.

Saeed is a trustee of two Bolton charities in the health and wellbeing sector; Home-start Bolton and Beacon Bolton Counselling.

Saeed said: "I'm absolutely honoured to receive such a prestigious award from such an amazing worldwide charity. I was so surprised when they told me! It's great to share this with Xplode's young volunteers and show that our work is being recognised."