A 13-YEAR-old boy who has raised thousands of pounds for charities is the youngest person on the New Year Honours list.

Ibrahim Yousaf, from Oldham, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community after his work to raise funds for local causes.

The schoolboy, who won the British Citizen Youth Award earlier this year, began his charity work at the age of 12 when he donated his birthday money to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital charity.

Since then, Ibrahim, who is a patient at the hospital, has raised more money for the charity and for a number of other good causes.

He said: "I want to thank the people of Oldham who are supporting me, especially the #oldhamhour community who are supporting me so outstandingly.

"This recognition is solely down to everyone's incredible support in helping me in my campaign.

"I truly believe the real stars and the heroes are the charities and all I ask is for everyone to please follow and support them."

In eight months, the teenager raised more than £1,300 for cancer support centre Maggie's and has made more than £2,000 overall for causes including Oldham Foodbank, Dr Kershaw's Hospice and the Oldham Mayor's Charities.

He also helps to raise awareness for charities through his Twitter account.