Inspirational young fund-raiser Nicole Dryburgh has scooped a top award and £20,000 for her favourite charity.

Nicole, from Seasalter, has been named Britain’s Most Inspiring Fund-raiser 2008 at a ceremony in London.

The 19-year-old, who is blind, partially deaf and in a wheelchair, was delighted to win.

"It is absolutely amazing and a real honour," she said.

"I don’t fund-raise to win awards or get praise, so it’s nice when people recognise what you’re doing, and it makes me want to continue with my fund-raising."

Since she was diagnosed with spinal cancer aged 11 Nicole, who writes a fortnightly column for the Kentish Gazette, has raised thousands of pounds for children’s charities.

At the moment she has set herself a goal of raising £30,000 towards equipping a new neuro-rehabilitation suite for children at King’s College Hospital, London.

To date she has raised £18,300, so with the £20,000 cheque she received has now managed to smash her target.

The teenager was one of 550 charity fund-raisers across the country who were nominated for the award, which is run by online giving website Everyclick.com and held in memory of renowned fund-raiser Jane Tomlinson.

The competition was supported by Jane’s husband Mike, who described Nicole as an outstanding example to young people.

"Nicole is an incredible young fund-raiser and is exemplary of the passion, commitment and sheer determination that truly great fund-raisers display," he said.

"The fact that her own disabilities do not deter her from striving to help others only furthers my admiration for her efforts."

Polly Gowers, founder of Everyclick.com, said choosing a winner from the 10 finalists had been a near impossible task.

"However, it was felt that Nicole’s dedication and selflessness in her incredible fund-raising efforts were truly worthy of the title," she said.