A TEAM of young people from North Yorkshire have set off for a five-day adventure holiday as a reward for their work in the community.

North Yorkshire Police's Lifestyle competition is a scheme which encourages young people to work in their local communities to improve the area, and give young people something to do in the school holidays.

The competition ran last year for the first time, and the 15 winning young people included teams from Acomb, Sherburn, York and Scarborough, whose efforts included clearing local parks, organising a family fun day, and designing a crime-prevention campaign.

PC Suzanne Asquith, Youth Engagement Officer for the county said “All these young people worked incredibly hard and used their Summer holiday to do something positive and constructive in their community. This adventure holiday is both a reward for their effort and a continuation of their teambuilding and life skills.”

The winners have been taken to Caythorpe Court in Lincolnshire by PC Ben Pepper, SC Laura Wright and youth support worker Michelle Hutchinson, and take part in activities including abseiling, kayaking, raft building and rifle shooting.

Revd Rachel Benson, the high sheriff of North Yorkshire, saw the group off from Fulford Road Police Station, and said: “I think Lifestyle is an incredible project and I am delighted to have been involved and to have given it my support during my term as High Sheriff.”

Sponsors are still wanted to support Lifestyle 2014 with the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Fund, to be launched in May.

For information on how your organisation can get involved, email suzanne.asquith@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk