THE director of a charity that helps young people from deprived areas channel their talents is urging shoppers to dig deep at an annual fundraiser.
Enter CIC, which provides a wide array of performance related activities for young people living in County Durham, was one of the organisations to benefit from last year's two-day Durham Shopping Extravaganza.
The charity received £5,600 from funds raised at the event, which is organised by a committee of volunteers and took place at Ramside Hall Hotel, near Durham.
The money paid for technical equipment and allowed more than 200 young performers access to high quality costumes, including some used in Enter CIC's production of Jesus Christ Superstar at Durham Cathedral.
Now Andrea Mallen Flynn, director of Ferryhill-based Enter CIC, is appealing to people to support this year's Durham Shopping Extravaganza, which returns to Ramside Hall Hotel on October 14 and 15.
She said: "Last year we were delighted to receive the news that we had been selected as one of the organisations that would receive funding from Durham Shopping Extravaganza.
“We are always most grateful for any funding we receive because it helps us to have a positive impact on many young people and enables us to help them reach their goals and in some cases achieve their dreams.
"The Durham Shopping Extravaganza was a wonderful event and everyone from Enter CIC had a great day. I would actively encourage everyone across the North East to put it in their diary and attend this year's event in October.
"It provides a fantastic day out, a wonderful opportunity to purchase some unique gifts and most importantly raises funds for an array of local good causes."
Since being established 23 years ago, the Durham Shopping Extravaganza has raised more than £370,000, which has been shared between 72 local charities.
Since its inception in 2010 Enter CIC has worked with 5,000 young people, providing high quality training for those living in economically deprived areas and low cost performance opportunities across the region.
To keep up to date on October’s event, visit facebook.com/DurhamShoppingExtravaganza or email enquiries@durhamshoppingextravaganza.co.uk