World class athletes watched with pride as the second group of young people from Thanet graduated successfully from the Get On Track programme.

The programme is run by the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust (DKHLT) and delivered in partnership with Thanet District Council and Sport 4 NRG.

International beach volleyball player Chris Gregory and Commonwealth Games triple-jumper Michelle Griffith-Robinson were the programme’s athlete mentors.

They applauded the graduates at a presentation ceremony at Baypoint Leisure Club, Sandwich, attended by council chairman Cllr Kay Dark.

Chris and Michelle had used their knowledge and experience of facing adversity and overcoming the odds to succeed in their sports, to help the young people struggling to find work.

Getting “fit for work” is an important part of Get On Track. It involves encouraging participants to commit to a healthy and active lifestyle, inspiring them to make positive changes in their lives.

This is Thanet’s second DKHLT programme, a successor to the first one in April and May 2013.

During the past few weeks, the young adults have learnt skills including plastering a wall and bricklaying. Over Christmas, they cared for less able members of the community when they laid on lunch for elderly people.

Other achievements have included first aid and sports leadership qualifications. Supported by local businesses, they have also gained an insight into the world of work.

Dame Kelly was delighted with the group’s progression on the programme, having visited them in December 2013. She is looking and forward to being a part of their continued journey in the months ahead.

She said: “They’ve been on an incredible journey over the past few weeks, and the key focus now is for them to remain positive and keep up all their good work.

“It was fantastic to meet the group earlier on in the programme, and this group can now take inspiration from the coming weeks of sport, and see just what success a determined, positive attitude can bring.

“Success in sport can be linked to success in life and this is a value this group has learnt from the past weeks on my charity’s programme.”

Cllr Dark said: “This fantastic programme has motivated and brought a group of 18 to 24-year-olds out of their shell and has turned them into confident and self-motivated young adults.

“I’m delighted that we’re the first council in Kent to deliver this scheme as it has been incredible to see the positive impact that Clare, Michelle and Chris have had on the Get on Track candidates.”

n For more information, please visit www.dkhlegacytrust.org