A TEENAGER’S bid to make amends to his local community has seen more than £300 raised through a special charity football match he organised.

Young people, along with staff members from Darlington’s Youth Offending Service (YOS), Police staff and support workers took part in the match, which was held at Eastbourne Sports complex.

The money will go to two charities chosen by the victim - Cancer Research and St Teresa’s Hospice in Darlington.

Nicola Padget, YOS officer, said: “The young man came up with the idea of organising the charity football match as part of a community reparation project to help make amends to his local community, and we were happy to support him.

"He has shown real commitment, enthusiasm and drive towards planning the event and to ensure that maximum funds were raised for the chosen charities.”

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “It’s great to see so much money has been raised for two worthwhile charities from this young man’s efforts to make amends.

“There are many reasons why young people offend and our YOS staff work with them to offer support to help prevent re-offending and offer some pay back to their community for the harm their offending may have caused.”

For more information about the Youth Offending Service log onto the website at www.darlington.gov.uk/your-council/policing/youth-offending-service