THE founder of a teenage cancer charity has been honoured for her work at a special ceremony.

Hannah Larkin set up Butterfly Giving when she was just 15 to improve the lives of teenagers fighting cancer and offer help and support to their family and friends.

The charity also helps to educate young people about cancer and received registered status with the Charity Commission last year.

In recognition of her achievement she was presented with a Mayor’s Award from Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon at a ceremony in Middlesbrough Town Hall on Thursday (January 23).

The Coulby Newham teenager launched the charity after meeting George Soars who had a leg amputated following his diagnosis with cancer at a very young age.

The teenager, who hopes to become a doctor, won the 2011 Ambition Axa Award for her community work and put the £40,000 to good use in building the charity up.

Achievements to date include a donation of £1,000 to the teenage oncology ward at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital to cover the cost of some new equipment, and awards to help with respite care for individual sufferers.

The charity’s main aims include raising enough money to establish a holiday retreat for young people with cancer and the Boobs & Boxers campaign to encourage young people to check themselves for lumps.