Adventurous Peter Tate left Bradford for the exotic shores of Jamaica as a teenager.

The two-year stint on a Voluntary Service Overseas project changed his life - and now he wants to give other Bradford youngsters the same chance.

Mr Tate met his future wife Shirley on the island and his son Damien was born there.

The family returned to Bradford where Mr Tate has worked ever since for Bradford Youth Service, but he has strong links with Jamaica and has led exchange visits there.

He now hopes to give ten local youngsters the same break he had thanks to a £3,700 grant from Age Concern.

The charity has given him the cash under a Millennium grant scheme which encourages over-50s to pass their knowledge on to younger generations.

"I went to Jamaica when I was a young man, on a VSO, and it changed my life, I think for the better," Mr Tate said. "I have done a lot of work with ethnic minority communities in Bradford.

"Age Concern were giving out Millennium Awards for people over 50 to share their experience and knowledge with young people.

"I can take ten young people out there for some work experience; there are four people signed up so far."

The scheme is open to 18-26-year-olds. They will be expected to raise some funds themselves in order to make the trip and will be encouraged to apply for British Council Youth Millennium Awards. They will stay in Jamaica for two to three months, completing an initial two-week induction programme on the Jamaican way of life before working alongside the Mighty Gully Youth Project in Old Harbour for street children.

The project's Lancelot Bryan has links with Bradford and has visited the district before.

While there the young people will be expected to use their particular skills to help disadvantaged people on the island.

"I have got a couple of youngsters who are really keen on basketball. What they're planning to do is to use their skills in teaching the kids and they are actually going to build a basketball court, so they will be leaving a legacy," Mr Tate said.

To find out more about the scheme conact Peter Tate on (01274) 393741.

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