A man who has given countless hours to those less fortunate has been named the inaugural Central Coast Citizen of the Year.

Mr Lester Pearson of Fountaindale received the honour tonight at Central Coast Council’s 2017 Australia Day Awards ceremony.

Lester has been volunteering for more than 30 years with his latest passion focused on helping local youth.

Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said Lester was a great example of how volunteering can make a difference in a community.

“Lester is a deserving recipient for the first Central Coast Citizen of the Year award, showing that his work in the community isn’t going unnoticed and it is truly appreciated,” Mr Reynolds said.

“He’s been instrumental in setting up a number of foundations to support our youth in crisis as well as those overseas.”

Lester and his wife, Sue, established ‘Coats for Kids’ through their dry cleaning business, collecting and cleaning more than 5000 coats, jackets and jumpers for Youth off the Streets programs to help keep young ones warm in winter.

His most recent achievement, the establishment of Save Our Kids (SOKS) has saved more than 190 young lives across the Coast since it started in 2013.

Lester conceived the idea of SOKS to address the issue of youth suicide on the Coast, through raising funds for Lifeline. The program has now grown to also provide young achievers with opportunities to attend leadership programs.

“Lester is truly one of the unsung heroes in our community,” Mr Reynolds added.

“He and his mates have now formed the Gosford North Rotary Benefactors Club to help raise funds and continue to support the kids on the Coast.

“I would like to personally thank Lester for all the time he has given to improving young people’s lives and also congratulate him and all the other winners of this year’s inaugural Central Coast Australia Day Awards.

“I would also like to thank the independent panel who had the hard job of considering all the nominees for our Awards and coming up with the winners. Thanks to Sarah King, Andrew Church and Ron Sharpe.”

Other Australia Day Award winners announced tonight at the first Central Coast ceremony include:

• Youth of the Year – Miss Courtney McDermott
• Community Volunteer of the Year – Mr Peter Hurley
• Community Volunteer of the Year (Highly Commended) – Mr Michael Sharpe
• Community Activity and Service Award – Mrs Meg Champness
• Arts, Culture & Entertainment Award – Ms Meredith Gilmore
• Arts, Culture & Entertainment Award (Highly Commended) – Mrs Vivien Sale
• Environmental Award – Ms Carol Long
• Environmental Award (Highly Commended) – Mr Ian Carr
• Sportsperson of the Year – Mr Keenan Derry
• Business Connecting Communities Award – Mr George Abourizk

Congratulations to the 2017 inaugural Central Coast Australia Day Award winners.