Youngsters honoured at Archbishop's Youth Trust Launch

Archbishop of York Youth Trust Launch

Among the winners is Naomi Cumming, 15, who volunteers at a youth project in Leeds, will receive an award for her work at Christ Church, Armley. The project provides a range of initiatives for children and teenagers throughout the week, including youth groups, holiday clubs and sports programmes. Naomi has attended activities run by the project since the age of five and has now become a youth leader in her own right after completing a peer mentoring course.

Fiona Holmes, 19, will receive an award for her work with Newcastle Street Pastors. Fiona works in a team of three or four volunteers, who have radio contact with the police and door staff, offering pastoral support and practical help around the city nightspots on Friday and Saturdays between 10pm and 4am. The project will be given a grant to set up a new initiative in the Eldon Square shopping area of the city, making Street Pastors available to young people in the city centre on a Saturday afternoon.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was scheduled to attend the event and present the awards, but has had to pull out due to illness. He has recorded messages for all the winners, which will be played at the ceremony.

Dr Sentamu said: "I've always been struck by how in the New Testament, Jesus saw children as examples for adults to follow.

"I want the trust to send a message out to passionate young people that they can make a positive difference in their local communities. They really can be the change they want to see in the world."

Archbishop Tutu said: "I have the highest admiration for young people and I believe very strongly that they are dreamers, they are idealists, they believe it is possible to make poverty history and to have a world without war and where there is no hunger.

"I have come to say 'go for it' - don't be affected by the cynicism of oldies like us and help make the world the place that God wants it to become. You are able to turn what is a slimy caterpillar into a beautiful gorgeous butterfly.

"I want to say just how chuffed I am with young people. They are fantastic. I think we have got to keep saying that until we really get to know that we mean it. We frequently see in the media stories about young people who go off the rails. We are not told quite so spectacularly and sensationally about kids who are doing incredible things.

"I want to doff my cap to young people by saying 'You are the cat's whiskers!' I know of many young people doing incredible things and I believe that the Archbishop's Youth Trust has already found some extraordinary human beings."

The Youth Trust aims to help and motivate young people up to the age of 25 to be leaders of change in their local communities, using their faith as a basis for transforming society.

It will provide funding for youth-led projects, provide grants for youth workers and encourage young people to take part in the Archbishop's Discipleship Award Scheme, a three-year accreditation programme to help school pupils develop personal skills.

Dr Sentamu is asking businesses, individuals and schools to contribute to the trust by either donating to specific projects, 'adopting' a youth worker or by sponsoring the Archbishop's Discipleship Award Scheme.