A Radlett teenager who led others in raising more than £50,000 for charity came second in Hertfordshire's Young People of the Year awards.

The awards, known as YOPEYs, are held for young people who give to others and were presented in a ceremony at the Mansion House in Moor Park, Rickmansworth.

Yoni Stone, of Canons Close, Radlett, was nominated for raising £50,000 in two years by leading three different organisations at his school, Haberdashers' Aske's in Elstree.

The 18-year-old chaired the charity committee at the independent boys' school, as well as the school’s Jewish Society and his school house’s charity group, leading all three into charity work.

School chaplain Rev Jan Goodair nominated him for the award and said: “Yoni is an exceptional young man who has devoted a phenomenal amount of time and energy to raising funds.”

Yoni also led the school's 1,100 boys in raising £41,000 to set up three pre-schools in poor Tanzania, along with collecting laptops for African farmers and for spare glasses for the charity VisionAid - and numerous other fundraising efforts.

All the 40-plus judges, who included former Hertsmere mayor Cllr Paul Morris and many mayors and MPs from throughout Hertfordshire, were struck by Yoni's leadership.

Justin Smith-Milne, principal of Smith-Milne & Co accountants of Rickmansworth, presented Yoni with his £400 prize.

He said: “We were struck by this finalist’s tremendous character and humility. He has not done this to seek attention for himself, but because he has been asked to lead.

“And from his own privileged position he has realised there is much need in the world and that he should step up to help.”

Rachel Renak, 17, of Park Crescent, Elstree, was nominated as runner up for her work with the Joely Bear campaign, while Eden Davis, 15, of Sinderby Close, Borehamwood, was also nominated for turning his life around through sport.

They were given £50 for their good causes at the awards ceremony at Moor Park, attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire and civic and community leaders as well as finalists' families and supporters.

YOPEY founder Tony Gearing said: "Yoni, Rachel, Eden and Annie are all excellent role models for other young people to admire and copy."