AEMAN Afzal, 19, from Audley, was 12 when he was ‘picked off the street’ to become part of the development group at the centre.

He said the Youth Zone’s work in empowering young people was the reason he was not ‘in prison or dead’.

Aeman once climbed to the top of Blackburn Cathedral’s spire, landing him in trouble with the police.

After turning his life around, he launched his own entertainment company at the age of 15, and credits Zone staff for helping him pass his GCSEs.

After attending the club on a regular basis, he applied for a job there in the summer and was successful.

He said: “We used to do free running at the cathedral and Peter Little (chief executive of BYZ) was pointed towards us to pick us as a ‘prototype’.

“Peter asked us what we needed in Blackburn and we told him what we would want.

“In the beginning I asked myself if I could really be bothered but it grew on me and I got more into it. I started to think it was a whole new world.

“At the time I did not have any aspirations and did not see myself going anywhere. But when I came here I saw myself with a future and started building one.

“I would not have been able to do that without the support of the Youth Zone. They have helped me with every aspect.

“I have always wanted to give back to the community and it’s why I applied for the job here.”

Although Aeman’s involvement with the Zone predates the concept of youth leaders, he went on to become one.

His ambition is to one day work in television.

He said: “I would love to be a Blue Peter presenter if I had the opportunity. I have always wanted to work with young people.

“If I joined here as an eight-year-old, I would have done amazingly better at school.

“The reason people should invest their money in young people is because they are the future. They are investing in their future.”

 

 

 

 

To get involved you can donate to the appeal directly, or hold a fundraising event. To request a fundraising pack or to donate online, http://www.blackburnyz.org/teenleaders

Alternatively, you can text BYZA01 and the amount you’d like to donate (either £2, £5, £10, or £20) to 70070.

For example, to donate £5, text BYZA01£5 to 70070.

You can also donate over the phone with a credit or debit card by calling 01254 292001.