A teenager has used the death of his father as inspiration for helping others which could see him scoop an award.

Jack Abrey, of Eastbury Avenue, in Forty Hill, was nominated by head of Sixth Form at Chace Community School, Jackie Quorn, for the London Young People of the Year Award (YOPEYs) for his work on helping others.

Voted head student at the school, in Churchbury Lane, Enfield, the 18-year-old is also chair of Scouts Association’s national community group.

After losing his father at the age of seven, Mr Abrey believes that has spurred him on to help others.

He said: “It was something that seemed horrible to me and it drove me to get involved in social action like the scouts. I felt my own experience could make a difference to others’ lives.”

Since starting with the scouts at the age of six, the 18-year-old is pushing to outlaw controversial ‘conversion therapy’, where LGBT people are encouraged to change their sexual orientation. It is not illegal in the UK.

He said: “It has no proven worth, leads to increased stigma for the LGBT community and can cause serious mental health problems. We want to show David Cameron that young people don’t agree with it.”

“The scouts, as an inclusive organisation, has a policy ‘Scouting for all’, and society should follow in its footsteps. People cannot talk about their mental health or their sexuality because there is a stigma around these things. We need to work on this in the UK.”

Speaking about why she nominated the scout for the awards, Ms Quorn said: “Since taking on this role he has helped run the school council and set up a number of changes to the way the school operates including changes to the school rewards system.

“Jack has become really interested in mental health in young adults and has worked hard to set up a safe space for young people in the school where they can receive help and support.

“Jack has been working tirelessly to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and he is also using his role as chair of the scouts’ youth council delegation to push for the outlawing of conversion therapy.

“He has supported the school while studying hard for his A levels towards university. He is one of the most effective and committed head students we have had and is utterly deserving of a YOPEY.”

The awards are for young people aged from 10 to 25, who live, work or study in London, and could see Mr Abrey scoop £2,400 plus the award.