Young people locked up in cells for a good cause

Young people locked up in cells for a good cause

20 July 2016

YOUTH Initiatives staff in Downpatrick are bracing themselves for a spell behind bars at the start of next month.

Staff will be locked in cells at the old Down County Gaol in English Street as part of an innovative fundraising plan ahead of the organisation’s two-week Breakout initiative.

YI staff will be ‘jailed’ on Monday, August 1 to raise awareness of this year’s summer programme as well as raising money towards the scheme itself. For every £50 raised, the staff will spend an hour locked up.

The youth organisation aims to awaken hope, inspire initiative and mobilise young people to make a vital contribution to their community and to reconciliation in Northern Ireland through the discovery and renewal of Christian faith in daily life.

The organisation, which is led locally by Mark McFeeters and his team, believes in the uniqueness, value and potential of every young person and works to help address social disadvantage.

YI’s ethos centres on the Christian principles of faith, hope and love, with its project centre located at Market Street in the town, working with young people aged between 11 and 25, with four full-time staff offering a range of help and support. 

The annual summer scheme starts on Monday, August 8, with activities based at the Parochial Hall in Downpatrick’s Church Avenue and caters for young people aged between 10 and 14.

“This years theme is Breakout and we are encouraging young people of the town to break out of their normal way of life for two weeks and launch themselves into an action packed summer programme,” explained Mark.

“YI staff have made a short promotional video which can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMtp-cq6d_Q, while if anyone wishes to donate they can do so by simply texting ‘JAIL16’ followed by the amount to 70070 or by going online to https://mydonate.bt.com/events/jailbreakdpk.”

Mark added: “We are very grateful to Downpatrick PSNI and the Down County Museum for their support with our video. All information relating to our summer work can be accessed at www.youthinitiativesni.com and going to our Downpatrick sub page.”