£10,000 boost for youth projects

IAN CLARKE

01 February 2010

Projects which will make a real difference to teenagers' lives are getting a £10,000 boost - thanks to bids awarded by other young people during a Dragons Den-style contest.

Breckland Youth Council has handed out grants to seven groups across the district from a summer play scheme for youngsters with learning disabilities to a boxing club.

A total of 21 applications were originally made for a total of £75,000.

A shortlist of 11 projects was drawn up with bids for £31,000 and the groups had to make presentations to a panel of five youth councillors - Stuart Green from Dereham, Luke Dawson (Watton), Sean Ward (Swaffham), Candice Sears (Thetford) and Jordan Bailey (Attleborough).

Awards were made to: Attleborough Boxing Club (£3000), Mencap summer play scheme in Dereham £2043), Thetford Girl Guiding/Thetford Scouts (£1440), Dereham Y Friday Football Club (£1151), Swaffham Rugby Club (£1000), Thetford Rosemary Musker Energy Reach (£800) and Dereham Y Friday Youth Club (£566).

The judges were hugely impressed with the quality of presentations.

Sean said: “The standard has been really good and there was enthusiasm and belief in what they are doing. The groups here are trying to make a difference.”

Jordan added: “The good things which are going on among young people need to be noticed more. The good things are better than the bad things are bad.”

Breckland Council's young people's champion Diana Irving said: “It has been really inspirational to hear young people who really want to make a difference. They really care about the community in which they live and want to improve the lives for others.”

Billy Brown, from Attleborough Boxing Club, said: “We have 180 members from nine upwards and we are trying to fund a minibus. The money will be of extreme benefit to us.”