THE first official patron of York’s Arts Barge Project has been announced as Mike Kenny.

The project is also now working with the Jack Raine Community Foundation (JRCF), which works with children, young people and young adults to help them meet the challenged of life through education, welfare and sport.

This week, the charity was also contacted by Lewis Gell of the JRCF, who offered the project regular use of the York Boxing Club as well as the refurbished barge.

A spokesman for the project said: “His idea is that that the two organisations can work in partnership together in a way which will benefit not only our project, but will broaden the creative experience of the young people that JCRF supports.”