Teenage volunteers spruce up cathedral

Teenagers were on hand to help get the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas in shipshape for the festive season.

The group of 16 to 22-year-olds spent the day cleaning the cathedral in Newcastle, dusting and sweeping the windowsills and floor in preparation for the Christmas decorations to go up.

They were there with the national employment charity, Tomorrow's People, which helps young people to secure jobs by giving them a broad range of experiences to help build their CVs.

The cleaning spree followed the Remembrance Service, which they took part in and were very moved by.

Cathedral Events Manager Pam Walker MBE was grateful for the help on hand.

“It was very useful having the teenagers in for the day," she said.

"Some of the areas in the cathedral can be very difficult to get to and having younger people on hand was excellent. They really have spruced up the cathedral.

“We have an existing volunteer team within our congregation and the wider diocese, who do a terrific job, but to have some extra help was greatly appreciated.”