YOUNG participants in BCHA’s National Citizen Service programme celebrated their achievements at a recent graduation event.

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood joined more than 40 young people aged 16 and 17 at the Life Centre in Winton and presented them with their hard-earned certificates.

The scheme involved a residential camp and a week of interactive workshops before participants then contributed 30 hours of volunteering for local charities, collectively raising over £2,340.

One group took part in a ten-mile walk in aid of Myra’s Well, carrying a bucket of water to represent the struggle that some villagers in west Africa go through to access water.

Another group assisted in building a pond at Slade’s Farm while the last group worked in collaboration with the Red Cross to highlight AIDS and HIV awareness.

Devon Smith, NCS team leader for BCHA, said: “The graduation proved an ideal event to recognise how hard everyone has worked over the last couple of months.

“The commitment that participants have shown to their chosen charities has been amazing.”

BCHA will be running their next programme in February 2014.

Any Bournemouth or Poole residents aged 16 or 17 should call 01202 410500 or email ncs@bcha.org.uk for more information.