VOLUNTEERS have stepped forward to rescue a youth club less than a week after its founder was sentenced for fraud.

Rhewl Youth Club has been given a new lease of life after a new committee of volunteers has been appointed to run its weekly sessions.

The youth club was set to hold its opening party for up to 100 children at the Rhewl Pavilion on Friday, October 12 but the man that had planned to run the youth club was sentenced to false representation by faking a terminal illness on Tuesday, October 9.

The youth club, which received major backing from the community, was suspended on the Wednesday by the Rhewl Pavilion committee (RPC), who are insured to host activities in the building, after they were informed of the former youth club leader’s conviction.

A number of volunteers that were planning to assist in running the club have since taken on the responsibility to manage its weekly Friday sessions.

Mike Denman, secretary for the RPC, said: “A new youth club committee has been established following an RPC meeting on Wednesday (October 17).

“We had an excellent meeting with the volunteers who are prepared to run the youth club, and we have agreed that it will start at the beginning of November.

“The volunteers have already been trained for the role by Denbighshire County Council and have received DBS certification.

“The people who are now in charge are excellent and very enthusiastic and we are confident that they can make the youth club a real success.”