Seven young people from Fenland raised and donated around £1,200 to community projects by taking part in The Prince’s Trust Team Programme.

Bradley L’Amy, 18, of Wisbech; Hayden Cleverley, 16, of Upwell; Ashley Kirk, 19, of Wisbech; Sam Barnes, 18, of March; Scott Claxton, 20, of Wisbech; Kyle Ward, 18, of March and Darryl Scandrett, 22, of West Walton, raised the money by volunteering 1,180 hours of their time.

Over 12 weeks, they took part in teambuilding activities, a week-long residential, a community project, work placements, careers advice and support, presentation skills and team challenges.

Programme team leader Steve Lucas said: “The scheme has been running to help young people in Fenland for more than two years now.

“This successful programme is about young people developing and moving on into positive outcomes.”

The Prince’s Trust Team programme is a 12-week personal development course which aims to increase confidence, motivation and skills. It hopes to enable young people to gain employment, move into education or undertake training or an apprenticeship.

Twice a week the young people engaged with firefighters at Wisbech in drills and development exercises - they then performed an intricately planned drill at their passing out parade.

The Fenland programme is run by Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS), with partners Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and The College of West Anglia.

Area commander Callum Faint, from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service and who attended the pass out presentation, said: “We are proud to be a key player in helping these young people build a better future for themselves.

“All the staff involved, from organisers and partners to those in the community, should be incredibly proud of how they have contributed to such a tremendously positive outcome and made a difference to these young people.”

At the end of the course students can also gain a Prince’s Trust certificate in employment, teamwork and community skills and an emergency first aid certificate.