Glastonbury-based charity PROMISEworks has received a generous donation of £22,221.58 from trainees at Leonardo in Yeovil.

The funds will be used to bolster the charity's mentoring services for disadvantaged children and young people aged 5 to 25 across Somerset.

The trainees have participated in various fundraising events, including the Yeovil Half Marathon, festivals, and regular bucket collections. Their efforts aim to facilitate mentorship opportunities for young individuals in the South Somerset region, including Glastonbury.

Mentors from PROMISEworks offer reliable and consistent adult guidance, helping young people engage with their communities and participate in various activities. Each mentor commits to a two-year minimum relationship, offering stable emotional and practical support.

The donation will enable a host of activities for the youth involved, such as picnics, beach trips, and visits to local attractions, offering them a chance for calm experiences in their often challenging lives.

Louise Wallace, a representative for PROMISEworks, stressed the transformative power of mentorship. "Mentoring is all about focusing on the positives, improving self-esteem, and showing young people their value in society," she said.

Reflecting on the fundraising experience, Thomas Dulwich, an apprentice at Leonardo, found the activity "extremely rewarding," while Freya Stevens, leader of the new trainee fundraising committee for the coming year, spoke of plans already in place for future fundraising endeavours.