Local youth organisations were invited to put in a bid for cash from the Youth Opportunity Fund at interviews held at Street Youth Centre recently. The youngsters gave presentations to the centre's 'Funds 4 Youngz' committee, explaining how the money would benefit the young people in Caterham.

Funds 4 Youngz was formed in December, by a group of young people from Street and CR3 Soldiers youth group following an approach by Youth Opportunity Funds, who had over ￡20,000 to allocate to voluntary groups for young people in Caterham. The committee was then given the task of deciding which local groups would receive funding and how much they would get.

The eight groups that included Caterham Pumas football club, Ridge Radio and Caterham Scouts, were given five minutes to present their bid, before the committee asked questions. Rees Asiedu from the committee said: "The presentations were really good and it's going to be difficult to decide on who gets the funding. This is a great way of deciding how the money is spent as it empowers The Funds 4 Youngz committee interview an applicant at Street Youth Centre. young people and we understand what other young people want."

See the April edition of The Caterham and District Independent to find out how the Funds 4 Youngz committee has decided to allocate the money.