Raffle tickets to win a car which has been
modified with a new stereo system, speakers and alloy wheels by
seven enterprising young school leavers can be purchased at the
Destination Centre on Bridge Street, Peterborough.
More than 500 tickets have already been sold
but people have until Monday 13 December 2010 at 5pm to purchase a
raffle ticket for £2. Proceeds from the raffle will be given to
Peterborough Soup Kitchen.
Peterborough City Council's 8 to 19 service
was awarded £6,000 Connecting Communities Government funding in
January to work with young people from Peterborough's central ward
on the Modify project. They have been involved at every stage, from
purchasing the black 2002 Citroen Saxo, managing the budget,
working with staff from Ice Direct to modify the car, choosing the
charity and organising the raffle.
The car, which was bought for £1,500 from Star
Cars in Peterborough, has been fitted with a new stereo system,
alarm, exhaust, speakers, window tinting, alloy wheels and lights.
All the work and modifications cost £3,000 and is guaranteed by Ice
Direct.
The car is now being raffled with a full MOT
certificate. Tickets are being sold for £2 each to people aged 18
years and over.
Mayor of Peterborough, councillor Keith Sharp,
will draw the winner at the Youth Access Point in Central Library,
Broadway, Peterborough, on Friday 17 December 2010 at 2pm.
Councillor Sheila Scott, cabinet member for
children's services, said: "A large number of raffle tickets have
already been sold at two events where the car was on show in Bridge
Street. If you missed the chance to enter the raffle then there's
still time to do so at the Destination Centre.
"The amount of time which young people have
invested in this project is outstanding. This is just one example
of the many excellent projects our 8 to 19 service is running to
reduce the number of young people who are not in education,
training or employment."
In recognition of their hard work, the young
people involved in the project have achieved a British Safety
Council Level 1 health and safety qualification and are working
towards a 30-hour Award Scheme Development Accreditation Network
(ASDAN) award. Five of the young people have signed up for a course
at Peterborough Regional College, another is seeking an
apprenticeship with Ice Direct and one young person is working with
city council Connexions staff to secure education, training or
employment opportunities.
Jacqueline Ormston, intensive personal advisor
in the city council's 8 to 19 service, said: "The Modify project
would not have been possible without the hard work of the seven
young people who have led on it. They should be very proud of their
achievements and I hope they sell all 3,000 raffle tickets and
raise lots of money for Peterborough Soup Kitchen's new van.
"These young people are helping to raise money
for an extremely worthwhile cause and at the same time have
improved their employability skills. I hope it will inspire other
young people to get involved in projects which will raise their
aspirations."
Carlos Dominguez, Peterborough Soup Kitchen
fundraiser, said: “We are very happy to be the recipient of the
funds that the Modify project will bring and to be chosen by the
youngsters, who wanted to help poor and homeless people in
Peterborough. We think that the Modify project helps youngsters get
a good start into the world of work and that has to be
encouraged.”
Young people who might be interested in a
career in the motor vehicle trade should contact the city council's
Youth Access Point on (01733) 864500.
For more information about the Modify project
visit www.peteyouth.com.
Peterborough Soup Kitchen is a local charity
for homeless and disadvantaged people in Peterborough. Its aim is
to ensure that people who need it get hot soup, food and drink
throughout the year, whatever the weather conditions. For more
information visit www.peterboroughsoupkitchen.org.