CHORLEY youths are proving that people of all races can get along together, thanks to a new project at Lord Street Youth Centre.
It all started when a group of young men were encouraged by youth group leaders to organise a multicultural enterprise.
Irfan Esa, 20, Fazeel Ahmad, 20, Hussan Defai, 19, Haroon Defai, 18, and Bilal Talati, 18 were picked out for their potential to put something back into the community by leaders Gary Pate and Paul L'Rourke.
Irfan, from Lyon's Lane, said: "The idea is to use Chorley as an example of how easy it is for youths to get along and do things together, like playing football, no matter whether they are black, white, red, green, male or female.
"At the moment we are looking in areas surrounding Chorley to put together 16 teams of under 18s for a football tournament -- we have six teams already." The group, now called the East Chorley Youth, have received £5,000 from B&Q, Chorley, and sponsorship from Options -- people developing people in Westhoughton, and The Nile takeaway in Preston.
And they plan to organise great events and trips away as well as projects at the centre, like the one currently being worked which involvs making multicultural murals using paints and spray can art.
Irfan added: "We believe that everyone should be treated as individual and we should all try to live in peace and harmony, understanding the need for our own beliefs and way of live."
Gary Pate said: "We met the lads through working on the streets during a project to try and develop young people and we were moved by their interest in the whole thing.
"We saw the B&Q award advertised and there were 3,000 applicants, but the lads just went for it -- they have now redeveloped the football area at Lord Street but are looking for extra funding for new astro turf, a barbecue and better disabled facilities."
For further information on the East Chorley Youth, ring Irfan on 07803 581554.
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