A CHARITY has marked its 100th anniversary by opening a new computer suite in memory of a young man after falling from his bike.

Consett YMCA was formed in 1919 to help people in an around the area.

Over the years it has offered hostel service, outdoor activities for youngsters, youth clubs and a boxing club.

It became Delta North last year and offers an alternative education programme for young people who find it hard to fit into mainstream schools.

One of its star pupils, JC Eglon, from Blackhill, died tragically after the accident on Church Bank in Shotley Bridge last October.

His mother, Kim, 34, said: “Its lovely gesture and it is a reminder of how much he was loved.

“He would have loved this because he liked to be the centre of attention.”

Billy Robson, Delta North’s chief executive, said: “He was a great kid and was role model.

“A lot of the kids looked up to him because he looked after them. That was the good thing about him.

“He was very bright and ended up as the top student within a few months.

“He applied himself and got on well with everyone because we treat people like adults here.

“We have done this because of the child he was and to remind people how lives can just change in an instant.”

Consett YMCA started out as a hut on Sherburn Terrace before it moved into a former steelworks infirmary near the police station on Parliament Street.

For many years it ran a popular youth club five nights a week but it was forced to stop that two years ago after funding was withdrawn by Durham County Council due to dramatic reductions in spending by central government.

As well as a charity shop in the town, it also has a furniture recycling operation and maintains its work with young people from the area with a highly successful Prince’s Trust programme.

Mr Robson said: “From 1919, it started when people had come back from the First World War and we have always tried to help people in the community.

“Over the 100 years we have changed our name, but we are still doing the same sort of work, trying to help people.”

Councillor Alex Watson represents Consett Durham County Council and is a board member at Delta North.

He said: “The computer suite is a tremendous facility and is part of Delta School, which values the students of North West Durham, not just Consett.

“These are kids that really can’t be taught in mainstream school and have been excluded, in effect, and forgotten.

“Delta gives them a future and makes them feel valued.

“It is a 00 per cent success and does more for the young people of North West Durham than the YMCA ever did.

“There are no nasty youngsters. They are all good kids who want to learn.

“Students like JC thrive here and it is very fitting this computer suite has been named after him.

“The children here had nothing but admiration for the lad and now his memory will live on.”