Singer Will Young was joined by 15 teenagers during a training run along Sheerness seafront.

The Pop Idol winner was on the Island to train for the London Marathon and meet youngsters from the charity Catch22, who will benefit from his 26-mile run in April.

Joining him in circuit training and warm-up exercises were a group of 16-to 18-year-olds from Catch22’s Kent Learning and Employability service, which is based on Sheppey.

The service supports youngsters who have experienced difficulties such as a breakdown in family relationships, housing issues or drug and alcohol problems.

Support workers encourage them to progress into further education, apprenticeships or training.

Will, who has trained in other slightly more exotic locations in preparation for the marathon on Sunday, April 17 – including Australia, America and Africa – has pledged to raise £40,000 for Catch22’s work nationally.

He said: “I’ve met many young people at Catch22, such as the young people I trained with in Sheerness, who have overcome seemingly impossible situations.

"I always keep that in mind when the going gets tough in my training.”

Sheerness project manager Sally Hart described the singing star as “so down-to-earth”.

“He really understood where the young people were coming from and he has shown every young person here that nothing is impossible,” she said.

Youngsters from Catch22 in Sheerness were training with Will in preparation for the British 10k London Run on July 10.

• Support Will Young’s London Marathon run for Catch22 by making a donation online
• To find out how to support the Sheppey youngsters running the British 10k London Run, email Ms Hart at sally.hart@catch-22.org.uk