CASH BOOST TO HELP YOUTHS.

A YOUTH centre aimed at keeping teenagers off the streets has received an [pounds sterling]18,500 boost from a businessman and Mirfield Town Council.

Councillors met on Tuesday to discuss a report on Mirfield Young Adults Project by run by G Sport Gym owner Glyn Bellwood.

At the meeting, Ramsden Butchers owner Chris Ramsden offered to contribute [pounds sterling]6,000 to the project and councillors voted unanimously to give [pounds sterling]12,500.

Glyn, whose gym is in the former Vale cinema, off Station Road, is now renovating the rest of the building to house the new facility, which will include gym equipment, a cafe and internet facilities.

Glyn already has 12 teenagers undertaking a national vocational qualification in personal training, and is aiming to take on teenagers who have had or are in line for anti-social behaviour orders.

The meeting heard from Castle Hall School pupil Tom Frizzell, 14, who is a member of the Young Adults Project Committee.

Tom said the project was needed in Mirfield.

He said: "Teenagers have nothing to do in Mirfield. If this goes ahead there will be no kids hanging around on a night. Everyone looks up to Glyn."

Members heard from Kirklees Anti-social Behaviour Unit co-ordinator Bill Swap, who said he was trying to bring partners on board to provide funding.

Conservative parliamentary candidate for Mirfield and Dewsbury, Kevin Hollinrake, said Glyn's project was helping to tackle the problems youngsters were causing in the town.

He said: "Some of these kids that Glyn is teaching haven't got good role models at home.

"I have seen what Glyn has been doing - the kids look up to him.

"If you see what's down there it's worth supporting."

Councillors spoke extensively of their support for the facility and for Glyn's commitment in helping teach Mirfield teenagers respect.

Glyn said he was happy to have been given the money, which he said would be put towards ongoing costs of getting the facility up and running.

He said: "I was very proud of Tom for speaking up at the meeting, I thought he was fantastic.

"And I would like to say thank you to Chris Ramsden for setting the ball rolling by saying if it would take an offer he would put in [pounds sterling]6,000.

"Coun Vivien Lees has supported this from the start and the turnaround from Amelia Bolton has been amazing.

"When the project was in its infancy three years ago, Chief Supt Barry South from Kirklees police got behind it and gave [pounds sterling]10,000.

"If it wasn't for these people none of this would have been possible."