Skateboards and spray cans save youth from crime

A skateboard competition is being organised to help young people beat the boredom that can lead to crime.

The event, which is being organised by Faltown Skateboards and youth volunteering campaign Agents4Change is taking place on Saturday 2^nd August at Tuckingmill skate park in Camborne. The park was opened in 2004 to help regenerate a derelict area and create somewhere for young people to go.

The Agents4Change campaign is a youth led initiative run by CSV and supported by Tesco and v to encourage more young people to take part in community projects.

Agents4Change volunteer coordinator, Zak Stanley, says: "There are so many young people turning to crime through boredom. Skating is a great way to get young people from around Cornwall together and give them something positive to challenge their energies. We hope the event will encourage more young people to use the skate park in the future."

Sergeant Paul Marchant from Camborne neighbourhood police team says: "I think this would be a great opportunity to engage with young people in the area to canvas them for their views on what they feel their group's priorities are in relation to local issues.  Stuart Wallace and members of the West Cornwall Anti Social Behaviour team from Kerrier DC will also be in attendance." 

Entrants will be able to practise from 9-11am with the competitions starting at 12pm. Prizes including equipment, clothing and vouchers will be awarded for talent and flair. Lots of local companies have pledged their support including Freeriders, Force Majeure, Big Wednesday, Level, Pure Blue and Grip. 

The event is open to everyone, from beginners who want to try skateboarding to the experienced boarders. There will be an opportunity to get involved in a graffiti workshop to help decorate the skate park and make a mark on the area.

Food, car parking and toilet facilities will be located on site as well as St John Ambulance.   There will also be a trade area in a quiet space near the skate park if you need a break from the action.

ENDS

For further information about the event or other information contact Zak Stanley on 07875348001 or 01326341077 or zakstanley@hotmail.com

For more information on Agents4Change events please go to www.comcats.org.uk/agents4change.

Notes for editors

•(1)      Agents4Change began in May 2007 aimed at giving 16- to 25-year-olds real opportunities to volunteer for the first time at a wide range of events. The project is set up and delivered by CSV (Community Service Volunteers) and is funded by Tesco and youth volunteering charity v.

•(2)      Tesco has pledged £500,000 over two years to set up Agents4Change, a new youth project which aims to empower people between the ages of 16 and 25 to get involved in community projects. Through v's Match Fund programme, Government funds can be accessed to match that sum giving Agents4Change a £1 million budget to deliver the project. 40 full-time Community Catalysts will be recruited across England, tasked with engaging 12,000 young volunteers over a two-year period. With support from experienced local CSV teams, these volunteers will deliver a wise variety of projects and events across the country.

•(3)      CSV (Community Service Volunteers) creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their communities through volunteering, training and community action. In 2006/7 229,869 people gave time as volunteers through CSV. CSV trained 12,309 people of all ages and linked 29,000 people to learning through BBC Local Radio. http://www.csv.org.uk/

•(4)      v is the youth volunteering charity launched in May 2006 whose mission is to inspire a new generation of young volunteers in England aged 16-25. v is supported by the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office.

v has been formed as an independent charity using an innovative new model which allows funds raised from the private sector to be matched by the Government. Up to £50 million has been allocated by the Government for this purpose over the next three years. For more information about v visit file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/WareO.CSV/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/BBC%20+%20CSV/Local%20Settings/Local%20Settings/Temp/www.wearev.com