Radio volunteer Jack is up for youth award

Aug 11 2010 By Hannah Williams Hannahwilliams@Trinitysouth.Co.Uk, Buckinghamshire Examiner

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A LITTLE Chalfont teenager has been nominated for a young people's award after extensive work in his community, including helping an Amersham charity raise thousands of pounds.

A-level student Jack Elderfield, 17, of Westwood Close, was put forward for the Buckinghamshire Family Information Young People of the Year (Yopey) contest for volunteering with Street Kids Direct, a charity which helps street children living in poverty in Guatemala and Honduras.

He was nominated by the charity's founder, Duncan Dyason, who let Jack get involved with Radio Christmas - a community radio station which ran during the festive period in 2008 and raised £16,000 for the cause.

Jack said: "I did so to get experience of radio. The charity side didn't appeal then. I did radio shows, mic

mixing for others and then got involved with the website."

But he saw a video made by Street Kids Direct showing the plight of the youngsters in Guatemala preyed on by criminals and the police and has continued his fundraising work for the cause.

He said: "I saw it and thought what I saw going on was wrong."

Jack, a pupil of Dr Challoner's Grammar School in Amersham, also finds time to fit around his studies volunteering at Mr Dyason's other project - a Friday night youth club at Cafe Africa, in Chesham Road, Amersham.

He is also one of those behind new music event Amersham Summer Festival, a free festival for young people planned for the town next month.

He also is vice-chairman of the Misbourne Explorer Scouts and helps out at the 1st Amersham Common cubs. He also gives up at least one weekend a month to volunteer at the Ruislip Lido Narrow Gauge Railway.

Jack, who plans to visit Guatemala with the charity in his gap year, added: "I like volunteering to help, make a difference and meet people. I am sure it is worse than it looks but I also want to see all the good stuff the charity is doing out there."

Mr Dyason said: "I don't quite know how he does it all. Without people like Jack charities like Street Kids Direct and the youth club could not continue.

"He is very humble and just keeps giving. He is a massive role model and I can't think of anyone more deserving in Amersham."

If Jack wins the competition, which is sponsored by Citygate in Little Chalfont, he stands to receive £1,000. Half of the cash will be donated to good causes chosen by the youngsters.

Nominations for the awards are open until August 31. For more information see www.yopey.org or send a stamped addressed envelope to YOPEY, PO Box 103, Ware, Herts, SG9 0XD.