An aspiring singer-songwriter who attends school in Chiswick was given a special commendation at a recent teen competition.

Gilska Weerakkody, 15, a student at Arts Educational School, made it to the final of the Song Academy Singer Songwriting contest where her song Affections, which is raising money for a homeless charity, floored judges.

Despite missing out on the top spot she is thrilled her work, which was recorded at The Academy of Contemporary Music College, was a big hit with music industry professionals and is determined to write and perform more songs.

The track is being distributed for free by Horus Music Ltd with 100% of royalties going to SPEAR, which helps transform the lives of young homeless adults by providing shelter, job skills and education opportunities so they can become independent.

In her mission to support SPEAR, and raise £10,000, Gilska said: “My aim is to do this with music and songs that I write and perform and by encouraging every teenager in the UK like myself, to help with my mission.

"I believe that together teenagers can be a powerful force to alleviate homelessness and the consequences of homelessness especially for young people in our country.

"My ambition is still to be ‘big’ in the music industry as a singer-songwriter and will work my hardest to get there."

SPEAR started in Richmond and now has different services in a number of south-west London boroughs ranging from outreach for rough sleepers, emergency hostels, services for young adults, houses with multiple occupancy, skills and development programmes, resettlement and homeless healthlink support.

SPEAR's head of fundraising Heidi Shrimpton said: "SPEAR invite readers to purchase this song Affections by local teenager Song Academy finalist, Gilska - now on pre-release at iTunes and Amazon, with 100% royalties to SPEAR.

"It is a fabulous song and an inspiration to all young people who want to be a singer/song writer.

"But what makes this so special, is Gilska produced this song thinking not of herself, but of people supported by SPEAR who are experiencing homelessness'

Listen to Affections here or watch her perform live at Westfield Shepherd's Bush on June 21 as part of Song Academy UK showcase, or at the Voice in a Million event in Wembley in March 2016.