DARREN Tait, of King Alfred Youth Activities Centre, Winchester, has just been named Hampshire Youth Worker of the Year.

As well as helping out several times during the week at the centre in Middle Brook Street and at weekends in Wales and Cornwall, he cooked for thirty at their annual camp in the New Forest.

Darren, 20, was presented with the prestigious John Oliver Bellasis award at the Youth Clubs of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's annual meeting.

He has been a member of the club since he was 11, and helped out there for the last four years becoming increasingly more dedicated.

Fiona Donaldson, Senior Field Officer of Youth Clubs Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: "Darren has put an incredible amount of effort in, especially in the summer camp, where he took time out of his annual leave.

"He is also just brilliant with young people, he has so much patience with them and they really respond to him."

She added: "The award is thoroughly deserved." Darren, a printer who lives at Charles Close, Abbotts Barton, said: "It's brilliant fun, I've really enjoyed it"

"I was surprised about the award but it's all about building up a bond between the young people."

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