A Street charity worker has vowed to continue his work for some of the poorest children in the world, after winning a Pride of Central Somerset Award.

Steven Argent, a former pupil at Crispin School, is the founder of Orphfund, a charity which helps orphaned children in some of the poorest parts of the world.

The charity is based in Street and has already built two orphanages and a training centre.

It is unique in that 100 per cent of the money raised goes straight to their causes and projects – the volunteers are all self-funded.

Mr Argent founded his charity after becoming disillusioned with how a number of other charities work.

"I worked for a number of the big charities but I became increasingly disillusioned with their work," he said.

"So many of the workers and volunteers were being paid, getting expenses.

"I think that if someone gives money to charity, it should go straight to the cause, not to the running costs of the charity."

To fund his belief, Mr Argent sold his home and set about making his own charity.

He does not take a wage for himself, and all of his volunteers are self-funded.

"Every penny donated to Orphfund goes to our projects – to help children who need it most of all," he said.

"So it was a real pleasure to be recognised for this award. It's taken three years of hard work to get the charity where it is today.

"I had lots of rejection, doubt and headaches along the road and to be acknowledged for this by the local community is something that will push me on further.

"Recognition like this will also hopefully encourage more people in Somerset to get behind the work we do and become supporters."

The award ceremony is being held in Glastonbury Town Hall on March 6.

The event is organised by Alex Maine.

For more information about Orphfund and the work it does, visit http://www.orphfund.org.