A teenager will help represent her school and country at a UN-style event in America.

After winning a place to speak at the Global Young Leader’s Conference in Washington DC, Zoeyah Shaheen, 17, of Blackburn Road, Accrington, is on a mission to raise money to cover the cost of her travelling expenses.

Impressed by a presentation she gave councillors at Hyndburn Borough Council’s cabinet meeting, councillors voted to help her towards her goal of £2,700 with a donation of £500 and have requested that Lancashire County Council match the amount.

Zoeyah, who attends Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, is one of six students at the school who won a place at the event by writing an essay suggesting a possible solution to the situation in Kashmir.

After the meeting Zoeyah said: “I’m really grateful to the councillors and also to Sacred Heart Primary who provided me with the best start and have helped me raise a lot of sponsorship money.”

Anyone who would like to donate funds towards Zoeyah’s travelling costs can contact her on zoeyahshaheen@hotmail.co.uk.