The CR3 Soldiers, the youth group set up by young people to create opportunities for young people aged 11-17, has had its initial success marked by a visit from Elizabeth Toulson, the High Sheriff of Surrey, on 4th February. Mrs Toulson formally unveiled an air hockey table which her charity had provided for the club and was persuaded to play the first game on it!

Having sought and found, thanks to Dick Moran of the Barracks Trust, a venue for their weekly club in the Pavilion on the Barracks Site, the five young people driving the club, Sophie, Liam, Joe, Charlie and Bethany, have now received three awards for their efforts and have secured sufficient funds to guarantee their operation for the first year and beyond.

"We are really grateful for the awards we have received from the High Sheriff, who donated £1,000 from her fund, from the Henry Smith charity and now from the Surrey Youth Opportunity and Capital funds," said Sophie Aldous, the Leader of the Soldiers. "We are now open to young people from the area every Thursday, and can provide games and other entertainment for the young people who want somewhere safe to hang out and socialise. We also make the best toasties in Caterham Hill!"

Once the Club gets over its start up phase, it will begin to reach out to other young people and widen its membership and hopes also to expand the scope of its activities.

"The young people have responded really well to the challenge so far", said Sarah Wilson, who is helping the young people with the disciplines and routines involved in running a weekly youth club. "In time, we will look to open, maybe, on a second day of the week. Sunday is a possibility, because the young people have said they would appreciate something extra to do at weekends".

Councillor Jeremy Webster, who is acting as Chair for the CR3 Soldiers said: "I am proud to be associated with this group of young people, who are doing it for themselves and showing the true power of volunteering and what it can achieve. They have come a long way since I first met them eighteen months ago, when having a place of their own to run was just a dream. I also like being told what to do by people who know a lot better than me what young people really want and need in this area!"

As with all voluntary groups, the CR3 Soldiers need help with the running of the club and also adult volunteers to assist with funding, provisioning and marketing and also to be a listening ear for the young people if necessary. If anyone feels they can help, in whatever capacity, please contact Jeremy Webster on jeremy.webster1 @btinternet.com com or call him on 07725 818629.