KPC Youth - Kenfig Hill, Pyle and Cornelly youth
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Helena Parobij Memorial Bench

KPC Youth, based in Pyle, was set up in 1998 by a local lady - Helena Parobij. Helena had sadly lost her son Brett to a drugs related incident and she didn’t want that to happen to other young people in this area, but wanted to give them somewhere safe & fun to go - off the streets, and to give them alternatives to drugs/alcohol & crime. The projects grown enormously since then, and the activities on offer have increased to meet the needs of young people. The project also offers advice, info & support to young people aged 8 - 25 years.

Sadly Helena died of cancer 2 years ago. In lieu of flowers at her funeral, many people donated towards having something to remember her by. At that time we were struggling for funding, and Helena’s father John said he didn’t want a bench put in an empty centre. We finally secured some further funding in late 2006 from the Big Lottery, so restarted the bench project. The bench design was by some of our young people, helped by one of our Youth Workers - Sian White. We contacted Iron Vein - Richard & Viki - who are based in Welshpool, to actually create the design, which is done in hand forged steel. The bench was erected only yesterday, so was unseen prior to the actual unveiling. The unveiling by the Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan, Mrs Kate Thomas, was followed by a mass balloon release where everyone had the opportunity to send a message to Helena. The evening was a happy occasion and a celebration of what Helena had achieved for the community and young people of this area.

KPC Youth would like to thank the Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan, Mrs Kate Thomas, for doing the unveiling, Connaught for supplying the external lighting, Helena’s family, friends and supporters who attended the evening. Supporters included Peter Black AM, Mr Roy Noble of BBC Radio Wales, Mayor of Bridgend Rosemary Deere, the Chair of the Pyle Community Council Mr Alan Jones, Mr Win Griffiths (former MP). It was also really good to see so many ex-members of KPC who are now adults themselves, who came back to remember Helena.