A TEENAGER from Bulford is a finalist in the British Red Cross Humanitarian Citizen Awards after raising more than £43,000 in memory of her brother.

Izzie Burns, 17, was praised for her positive attitude and fundraising efforts following the tragic death of beloved ten-year-old brother Charlie from Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).

The awards, sponsored by Canon, take place at the Palace of Westminster on Tuesday, November 18. They are open to young people under the age of 26 from across the UK and nominees do not need to have any connection with the Red Cross.

Izzie remembers her borther Charlie as a “very chilled, very cheeky, very smiley, very sweet and happy little boy who was completely full of life”.

In early October 2011, Charlie was in the process of being referred to a neurologist after suffering a seizure and reporting that he often woke up during the night gagging and needing a drink, and quite often couldn’t feel the rest of his body. Sadly he died in his sleep before the appointment took place, just a week after his tenth birthday.

The family later found out that he died of SUDEP, and since then Izzie has devoted herself to raising awareness and money for the charity SUDEP Action, which supports bereaved families and funds research into the conditions.

Izzie said: “I was really shocked and really happy to have all my hard work recognised by the nomination.

“When Charlie died I thought I could either drop out of school or prove to everyone and him that I can carry on and still do well in life even though something horrible has happened.”

She has already planned a charity ball in Salisbury next summer as well as a fundraising coastal walk in Cornwall with her grandfather, Andre.

This is all while studying her A-levels at Wellington Academy and applying to study photography at university.

Gary Mountain, from the Red Cross, said: “Every day young people are making a huge difference to other people’s lives across the UK.

“They are giving first aid, befriending vulnerable people and fundraising and campaigning for good causes.

“The British Red Cross Humanitarian Citizen Awards celebrate those young heroes and recognise the positive impact they’ve made in their communities.”