9:56am Tuesday 6th July 2010
ANT and Dec added glitter to the opening of a village for young people.
They lined up with Dec’s brother Father Dermott Donnelly and the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle Seamus Cunningham to open Youth Village at Allensford, near Consett, County Durham.
The open day was in aid of Durham-based charity The Youth Ministry Team, which recently completed the construction of the village.
The centre offers accommodation supporting the holistic development of young people.
The facility houses an international team of volunteers and full-time staff dedicated to enabling young people to reach their full potential.
Youth village director Fr Donnelly, who along with his team created the facility, said: “The building of the youth village has been a dream of the charity for a number of years. It seems right that Ant and Dec are present at the opening together, with other supporters and benefactors because they have all been so determined to make this dream a reality.
“The youth village is special. It’s a space that enables young people to discover their uniqueness and giftedness.”
Dec said: “This is brilliant. We have seen first hand the work they have been doing with children across the North-East.
“Young people have a lot of stresses and strains and it is nice for them to come here and switch off.”
Nestled in the Derwent Valley, the site is available to schools and groups, Christian or not, who can use the facilities for retreats, study weekends and field trips.
For details, contact Christine Stewart-Tilling on 01207-592244.
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