A genuine passion to help those less fortunate has seen Blake Lazarus win the inaugural Wests Tigers U20s Community Award.

Blake received his award from Wests Tigers Lifetime member David McArdle, a young man who has overcome tremendous adversity since going to the aid of a woman trapped in her vehicle on the M4 Motorway in March 2006.

David had his legs pinned after two cars and a truck collided into the woman's vehicle. Close to four months later, David left Westmead Hospital with his legs amputated below the knees.

He has since presented the Wests Tigers Community Award for the past two years to winners Chris Heighington (2006) and Dene Halatau (2007).

"Blake has displayed tremendous enthusiasm and a real passion to be involved in community work for Wests Tigers," said club Media Officer Wayne Cousins.

"A few weeks after undergoing a season ending knee operation, Blake took it upon himself to be the group leader where he led his Toyota Cup team-mates in visiting sick children at Campbelltown Hospital for more than 10 weeks.

"He would even go to the wards himself at different times, handing out posters and spending time with the kids and their families.

"Blake has also volunteered his time to assist Wests Tigers in many of its club promotions. He is a wonderful young man who really enjoys bringing smiles to the faces of sick fans or those who just need a hand in life.

"He really has special qualities about him. I can't speak highly enough of Blake."

Wests Tigers Toyota Cup Coach Peter Gentle said Blake has a tremendous future ahead of him.

"He had been in outstanding form through the trials and early rounds and it is a shame we didn't get the opportunity to see his game develop in his new role as a full-back," Gentle said.

"Blake has worked extremely hard in his rehabilitation and has also been rewarded with a top 25 position next season.

"During his extended stay on the sidelines, Blake decided rather than sit around feeling sorry for himself, he would channel all his efforts into community work, helping people who were doing it a lot tougher than he was.

"This involved organizing and running hospital visits which was on top of the promotional duties he was required to do for Wests Tigers.

"Blake gained a tremendous amount of respect and admiration from the coaching and administration staff and he has set a great example to his peers. It is refreshing to see someone of Blake's character coming through the game today."