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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 1 today announced details of a major volunteering project fronted by presenter Vernon Kay in Carlisle ahead of the station's flagship music event, Radio 1's Big Weekend.

With 200 people taking part, it will be the biggest and most ambitious social action campaign around the Big Weekend to date.

Partnering with the Carlisle Youth Zone and Carlisle City Council the initiative offers participants the opportunity to volunteer on a number of exciting community based social action projects or "missions", designed to leave a positive city-wide legacy from Radio 1's Big Weekend.

Taking place on Saturday 7 May the young volunteers will help at six different community based projects across Carlisle and the surrounding district.

Throughout the day Vernon will be dropping in to each of the projects and reporting back to Radio 1 about how the volunteers are getting on across the city. Listeners can hear all the action during Vernon's 10am-1pm show, live from Carlisle and during Huw Stephens' show (1-4pm).

Vernon Kay said: "I'm really looking forward to going to Carlisle ahead of Radio 1's Big Weekend to help out in the local community, alongside Carlisle Youth Zone and Carlisle City Council. I hope that my army of young volunteers and I can get really stuck into the heart of the community and leave a great legacy in the city and I'm thrilled that, by broadcasting my Radio 1 show live from the city, I can raise awareness of the good work they are doing."

Volunteers must be 16 years old and over and must be available on the following dates: w/c 18 April for interview; w/c 25 April for training; and 7 May for the volunteering itself. Details of the projects and how to apply can be found on the and the closing date is 16 April.

Niall McNulty from Carlisle Youth Zone said: "The youth zone is really excited to be working with Radio 1 on this volunteering project. Being involved in the recruitment of 200 volunteers provides a fantastic opportunity for people to give back to the community, meet new people and have fun, which is what Carlisle Youth Zone is all about."

Cllr Mike Mitchelson, Leader of Carlisle City Council, added: "The volunteering projects are a brilliant opportunity to get involved in schemes that will make a real difference to the local environment and local communities. A wide range of projects are on offer, so sign-up and be part of the exciting build up to Radio 1's Big Weekend."

Piers Bradford, Radio 1's Commissioning Editor, said: "The idea for this project came out of a meeting between Carlisle City Council, the Carlisle Youth Zone and Radio 1, where we talked about tackling specific needs of the local area. The theme of encouraging young people to get involved in volunteering came through loud and clear. I'm really excited about the prospect of leaving a network of young volunteers who will hopefully continue to get involved with projects long after the Big Weekend has left Carlisle."

ER