Torchbearer Profile: Matthew Burdess

16 June 2012, 05:00

Name: Matthew Burdess
Age: 16
Hometown: Ferryhill
Carrying The Torch: 16th June, Durham
Reason For Nomination: Matthew has become a community ambassador for young people in the 3 Towns area of Durham Dales in County Durham.

He has voluntarily given up his time to establish a youth forum in his own village, liaising with local councillors and workers to develop this project.

During this time he helped to start a new village youth club which runs weekly, together with a village community allotment, a monthly film club and works with other local charitable organisations.

The original group has grown to form an area-wide youth forum which recently hosted a Youth Awards evening planned and run entirely by Matthew and other young people whom he has brought in to support him.

He has represented young people's voice to the Local Children's Board, the Children's Trust and the area and county councils. He has also trained as a football referee and gives his time to coach and help younger children to develop their skills in football.

His most recent project is to find out more about the UK Youth Parliament and he is currently researching this to apply to become a member to represent the views of young people in County Durham. He received a county award last month as the local young volunteer of the year.

He is the very essence of what young people today strive to be and has a passion for the development of sport with young people.

Hear from Matthew as he talks to Capital FM's Anna Harding


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