A WOMAN has earned the accolade of Southend Rotary Club’s citizen of the year for her tireless work in the community.

Victoria Young, 27, of Burnaby Road, has worked with Southend Association of Voluntary Services’ Turning Tides project since 2011.

She has been working specifically on the personalised travel planning project, going door-to-door advising people on how to cut their day-to-day travel costs – even helping those who don’t speak English to understand bus timetables.

The award was sponsored by David Jones, a longstanding member of Southend Rotary Club.

David passed away last summer before the first award was handed out, but his son Simon presented the prize to Victoria.

Victoria said: “I was really shocked, I am so grateful for being recognised with the award.

“I’ve loved it, I’m going back to work as the volunteering has given me the confidence to talk to people all day – but Turning Tides aren’t going to get rid of me now.”