Waihi Beach's lifeguard service will be able to fund new first aid equipment thanks to community spirit of Katikati College student Rikayla Richardson.

The Trust Waikato Waihi Beach Lifeguard Service will receive $250 donation from Rikayla who this week was announced the winner of the 2014 Trustpower Western Bay of Plenty Youth Community Spirit Award.

Trustpower Chief Executive Vince Hawksworth, Rikayla Richardson from Katikati College and Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Paterson.

The Award is jointly run by Trustpower and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council and is part of the Trustpower Western Bay of Plenty Community Awards presented on Monday.

For winning the award Rikayla received a framed certificate and $500, with an additional $250 being donated to the lifeguard service.

Trust Waikato Waihi Beach Lifeguard Service chair Donna Pfefferle says Rikayla is the type of student who touches people's lives.

'Rikayla's greatest asset is her positive attitude and in turn this has a great impact on her community. She is a humble unassuming leader who ‘walks the walk' and not just talks the talk' so it's great to see her efforts recognised.

'We are very grateful Rikayla thought of us to donate the money too and it will be used to help fund first aid equipment for the lifeguards. To best serve the public it's important that our lifeguards, who all complete first aid training, have modern equipment available.”

Trustpower community relations representative Jess Somerville says the Trustpower Youth Community Spirit Award is a wonderful opportunity to formally acknowledge the difference young people make at their school and in the community.

'A lot of negative attention is often directed towards young people and we tend to forget about the incredible input they have in the community.

'Rikayla is a great example of a student who, despite a busy schedule in and out of school, prioritises giving back to her community through the wide range of volunteer activities she commits herself too.”

It's an honour to recognise these selfless actions through this award, says Jess.

Jess says at the Waihi Beach Surf Club Rikayla leads the rookie life guard programme and is part of the emergency call out squad.

Last season alone she committed 146 hours to this cause and was awarded the highest number of volunteer hours by the club for her efforts.