YOUNG people in North Yorkshire are to benefit from a share of £1 million donated to a gift fund set up to celebrate April’s royal wedding.

Keyfund, a charity run by North Yorkshire County Council’s 4Youth service, is one of 26 organisations chosen by Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, for a wedding gift fund.

The couple asked that anybody wanting to buy them a wedding present should instead consider making a donation to the fund.

The money for Keyfund will help its work in providing young people with opportunities to develop skills and confidence.

In the last year, the charity has supported about 1,000 youngsters, with its grants of between £250 and £2,000 being administered through the 4Youth service for projects ranging from art initiatives, outdoor education, team-building and organising music gigs.

Arthur Barker, the council’s executive member for the youth service, said: “We are delighted a charity which has achieved so much for young people in North Yorkshire has been chosen to benefit from the wedding gift fund,”

Keyfund’s chief executive, Hannah Eyres, said: “We’re all so excited about what we can achieve with this new-found support and the impact we can have on the lives of young people.”

More information about Keyfund is available at keyfund.org.uk, by phoning its co-ordinator, James Parkes, on 01609 533932 or by emailing him at james.parkes@northyorks.gov.uk