'Presenting on radio changed me as a person'

Dan said presenting on radio gave him more confidence off air

Four young people from Devon are being recognised for their contributions to the community.

The BBC Make A Difference Young Hero Award celebrates under 16s making a positive impact in local communities and will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday.

This year's finalists include 10-year-old Hugo who sells lemonade for the Make a Wish Foundation - in memory of his grandmother, and 15-year-old Henry, who supports children and families living with cancer, following his own recovery.

Dan, a radio presenter at Ocean Youth Radio, and Georgina, 11, who lives with a rare genetic condition and educates her family and school about it, have also been recognised. Dan said of radio: "It's changed me as a person."

'The lemonade boy'

Hugo raises money for the Make a Wish Foundation in memory of his grandmother

This year's finalists were selected from hundreds of public submissions.

Hugo, from South Molton, who known locally as "the lemonade boy", was seven when his grandmother died.

"He was very close to her," said his mother, Claire.

"So we lost him for a bit."

To help him deal with his own grief, Hugo decided to support the Make A Wish Foundation so "other children would not have to feel as I did".

He raises money by making and selling lemonade for 30p a cup and, so far, he estimated he had raised about £1,700.

Young radio presenter Dan, from Paignton, is also a fundraiser supporting local charities, including the gym that helped him manage his cerebral palsy.

His work with Ocean Youth Radio enabled him to be part of the Children in Need choir, which performed on BBC One last year.

He said he was inspired by radio.

"It's made me much more confident talking to people on and off air," he said.

"It's changed me as a person."

'I really love helping'

Henry, 15, set up the Hugs Children's Cancer Charity in Plymouth which runs a shop in Plymstock

Henry, 15, from Plymouth, is the reason for the charity Hugs, which supports children and families living with cancer.

As a baby, Henry was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, and his family raised funds to help him, and then established the charity to continue the work for other families affected by the illness.

"I really love helping with this charity as I know how much it means to everyone," he said.

"It's about giving those families hope when they feel it's not there."

'Happy that I am unique'

Georgina, 11, helps educate others about her genetic condition

Georgina, from Paignton, who lives with a rare genetic condition, inspires her family, friends and teachers.

Despite coping with constant pain, she helps care for her brother who has complex needs.

She also educates others about her own condition.

"It's quite cool and I'm quite happy that I'm unique," she said.

Her mother Nicola said: "She's an absolutely incredible child.

"She's taught not just us, but her classmates, her peers, her teachers.

"Post-surgery from her stoma, she told the whole of her year about it, and they've all been inspired as well. Just the bravery."