The new Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Allan Hillary, today appealed to people and organisations across the district to help youngsters go on outdoor adventure courses which could become the turning point in their lives.

He has picked Bradford Outward Bound Association and Nell Bank Centre in Ilkley as his joint charity appeal this year and says both deserve credit for the work they do helping youngsters.

It will be the second civic boost for the Nell Bank Centre which received £125,000 seven years ago when Lord Mayor Councillor Marilyn Beeley picked it for her appeal.

The money paid for the Tree Tops adventure playground which is accessible to disabled youngsters. The rest refurbished residential accommodation and provided new routes for use by wheelchairs.

But today Bruce Fowler, head of the outdoor adventure centre for young people and a charitable trust said the need for funds was still just as great because of the high demand for courses.

Nell Bank's activities include team building, orienteering and moorland studies. It is used regularly by schools, youth clubs, groups of disabled youngsters and has a waiting list of 50 schools wanting to use the centre this summer.

Mr Fowler said: "We are thrilled to receive support from the Lord Mayor's appeal. It will help us expand our facilities so that even more young people can benefit from it.

"We are planning to build more accommodation to cater for the massive demand for the centre and a new pond where we can teach youngsters about insects and the natural environment."

Bradford Outward Bound Association helps raise money to give youngsters the chance to take part in outdoor adventure courses. Organisers say it helps participants recognise their own potential and the courses have been a turning point in many lives by teaching team work and leadership.

This year the association worked with Bradford youth service on the Hit the Roof of Africa project, which saw a team of youngsters climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya.

The association is now also working with the Council's adoption and fostering unit to give vulnerable young people the chance to take part in courses.

Mike Burtoft, of the association, said it had contributed funding to hundreds of courses for people and extras money from the Lord Mayor's appeal would enable long term projects to get off the ground.

He added: "It is fantastic news that the Lord Mayor has decided to support us with his appeal. It will make a real difference to the lives of young people."

Coun Hillary, a former boy scout and keen walker, said: "Outdoor adventure is a part of education and it opens the perspective of life if you see the wonders of the world of nature."

l Anyone who wants to contribute or organise events to raise funds for the appeal should contact Brenda Lockwood the Lord Mayor's appeal officer on (01274) 434965.

Pictured getting in the mood for the appeal are, from left, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Mr Burtoft, Mr Fowler, and Kamran Saddique of the Roof of Africa project.