A DEDICATED teenager who gives up his spare time to support children with additional support needs in Greenock has been recognised for his outstanding efforts.

Lewis Reaney, who is head boy at Notre Dame High School, says he was honoured to receive the Saltire Award after completing 200 hours of volunteering at Barnardo’s Thrive in Greenock.

The hard-working 17-year-old says he loves helping at the Terrace Road charity every week.

He said: “I’m really proud to receive this award.

“I work with children who are aged between five and 11 who use the service. I find it rewarding because you can see the support you are giving is helping these children to progress.

“It’s good to give something back as Barnardos is a great place.”

Every Wednesday, Lewis heads straight from school to help out at the charity as well as helping out on day trips.

He has also undergone a raft of training with Barnardo’s covering a wide range of topics including child sexual exploitation.

Lewis also volunteers at school as a ‘Mentor in Violence Prevention’.

As part of his role, he gives talks to younger pupils about cyber crime and bullying.

He added: “If any of the pupils have any issues or concerns, I provide a face that they can talk to about it.”

Lewis, who lives with his mum Susan and dad Hugh, is also a charity fundraiser and last summer completed a zip wire slide across the Clyde to raise funds for Breast Cancer Care.

It is a cause which is close to his heart as his mum Susan beat the illness.

Janice Williams, who is a volunteer co-ordinator at Thrive, said Lewis has been an incredible support to the young people who use their service.

She said: “Lewis has been absolutely wonderful, a very motivated young guy.”

Jackie Given, the charity’s children’s service manager, also praised Lewis.

She said: “He is a great role model for the young people he works with and for other young people in the community.

“We’re really proud of him.”

Catriona MacLeod, who is the volunteer development officer at CVS, said: “Lewis is a star.”

The teen says he hopes to join Police Scotland when he leaves school this summer.