A profoundly deaf schoolboy will work alongside stars from stage, screen and sport after being picked to be an ambassador for a global charity.

David Lawson, 17, has been chosen by UNICEF to be a UK youth adviser.

The Nab Wood School head boy beat hundreds of applicants from throughout the UK to land the coveted role.

He will now join other youth ambassadors to fundraise, campaign and work for the benefit of vulnerable children around the world.

David, a member of the Bradford and Keighley Youth Parliament, said: "I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to do something on behalf of children and find out more about UNICEF. I am thinking about pursuing a career with UNICEF.

"My responsibility will be to advise UNICEF on how they can include young people throughout the UK in their operations."

David, of Altar Drive, Heaton, Bradford, travelled to Edinburgh last weekend for a conference with fellow youth ambassadors. While in Scotland he and his charity peers, all aged between 12 and 18, discussed plans for a series of UNICEF youth roadshows to be held in Edinburgh, Leeds and London next year.

The roadshows will highlight issues affecting young people around the world and encourage children and teenagers to take action.

"Our job will be to organise and run each event," said David.

"The roadshows will be all about transgressing national boundaries and getting young people interested in what is happening on a global scale. They will be about getting young people to believe that they can make a difference."

David, who hopes to land a place at Oxford University after sitting his A- levels next summer, does not agree with the assumption made by many that young people do not care about global issues.

"Young people are not apathetic," he said. "They are however disillusioned with political systems and they don't think they can make an impact."

UNICEF goodwill ambassadors include Sir Roger Moore, footballer David Beckham, actress Mia Farrow and tennis player Roger Federer.

Earlier this year David just missed out on becoming the region's Government-backed climate change companion after being interviewed by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

A member of the National Academy for the Gifted and Talented Youth, David is also a keen member of the Nab Wood School debating society.

To find out more about UNICEF, visit www.unicef.org.