Heartfelt tributes at Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone event

By Limitless PR

04 Apr 2024

Website
Jack Straw Wayne Wild Blackburn Youth Zone.jpg.jpg

Rt Hon Jack Straw was honoured and celebrated for his commitment and contribution to the Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone at a packed-out event hosted by the charity at Blackburn Rovers.

Mr Straw was the focal point of the "Supper Club" event, hosted by long-term Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone Trustee Wayne Wild, who took over as chair of trustees from Mr Straw in December 2023. Having served as chair since 2015, Mr Straw will continue to support the charity and its members as a trustee.

The evening began with a heartfelt tribute to Jack from the Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone’s chief executive, Hannah Allen who acknowledged that in Blackburn, Jack Straw needs no introduction.

She described working with Mr Straw as an amazing opportunity, and that the successful position of the charity is in, referencing the exciting £3.1m Fuse Box redevelopment and £3m that will enable Blackburn with Darwen Council to double the size of Darwen Youth Centre through the Youth Investment Fund, down to the “hard yards” he has put in with the team.

Before the Q&A began, Wayne Wild told the crowd of 110 patrons and supporters from the local business community that, “This is a surreal moment for me. Jack has been a very instrumental figure throughout my life. I’m exceptionally proud to be able to be sat here with you, asking some questions.”

Mr Straw fielded questions on a wide range of topics, from his experiences early in his career to his opinions on current issues. While asking for advice for the next generation of politicians, one delegate thanked Mr Straw for being an inspiration, and described “seeing you stood in the middle of Blackburn on your literal soapbox.”

The final question came from Ram Gupta, from Nybble IT, who thanked Mr Straw for "turning hope into reality” before asking his question about AI and politics.

Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone’s founder and trustee, Andrew Graham, gave the closing remarks, echoing the gratitude and admiration that had been shared throughout the evening. He said: “In the journey of Blackburn and now Darwen Youth Zone, we’ve had some tremendous evenings, and I actually think this is the best one that we’ve ever had with all of our patrons – a huge thanks to you all. 

“Jack Straw has been involved in the Youth Zone project from day one. Even when he was serving on the Cabinet he gave the time to the project. You heard from Hannah about his forensic knowledge about the Youth Zone and passion for numbers that drove us to be one of the best Youth Zones in the Country.

"It’s been an absolute honour to serve with you. We’re so delighted you’re staying on the board, and with Wayne’s leadership and brilliant trustee board that we have, we ain’t finished yet.”

Rt Hon Jack Straw described his time as chair of trustees for the Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone as, “fantastically interesting and rewarding.” He thanked the attendees for coming, and their ongoing support for the charity, “because without your support we couldn’t do what we are now doing.”

His parting words were to his successor, Wayne Wild. He said: “Wayne, you’re already doing a fantastic job, and you’ll continue to do so. And Andrew and I will be there to support you.”

For further information, go to www.blackburnyz.org

Enjoyed this? Read more from Limitless PR

Latest news

1

Eden Project Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 marks 25th anniversary Eden Project garden

Eden Project Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 marks 25th anniversary

21 Oct 2025

2

Breck Homes appoints new managing director Phil Dolan, Breck

Breck Homes appoints new managing director

20 Oct 2025

3

Management buyout at Suresite Group Steve Holden

Management buyout at Suresite Group

17 Oct 2025

4

Meet the influencers who have generated £2m sales for one company Helen and Richard Chalu new

Meet the influencers who have generated £2m sales for one company

16 Oct 2025

5

WHN strengthens position in prestigious legal guide Daniel Long

WHN strengthens position in prestigious legal guide

16 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Chamber Business Lunch – October
LBV Hub Networking
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – October

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

11:00 - 13:30

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

10:00 - 15:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin