LEADERS of a charity project aimed at getting young people into gardening are refusing to give up, despite their allotment being twice wrecked by vandals.
Durham Youth for Christ sowed the seeds for the Pacman project back in March of this year, when they secured use of some rough ground behind Vane Tempest Hall, in Gilesgate, Durham City.
Leaders, volunteers and young people started clearing the ground, which had formerly hosted tennis courts but had been abandoned for some years, and building, decorating and planting raised beds with a range of vegetables.
The project was attacked in May and again recently, when vandals pulled up the homegrown produce and dumped it on the ground and in a nearby pond.
But all involved, young and old, are determined to continue and see the project thrive.
Marcie Bowes, 14, from Sherburn Road Estate, said: “It’s socialising and it’s fun.
“I was devastated. All the hard work we’d put in just got vandalised each time.”
Tadz K-Billam, a sessional outreach worker with Durham Youth for Christ, said: “We sat down and talked about how we felt about what had happened and decided we wanted to carry on.
“It’s not about revenge. We want more people to get involved.”
The project aims to get young people into gardening, encourage healthy lifestyles and improve relations between the police and local youths.
About ten young people of secondary school age are currently involved.
In future, leaders hope to clear more ground for use, build wood palette benches and keep chickens.
A CCTV camera has been installed to improve security at the allotment.
The project has benefitted from funding from Durham Area Action Partnership and various donations.
It is open to young people of secondary school age from the area and runs each Thursday from 4pm to 6pm. All are welcome.
Durham Youth for Christ, a cross-church group, also runs educational activities, detached youth work, mentoring and other initiatives.
James Ballantyne became centre director earlier this year. For further details, visit durhamyfc.co.uk
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