Building futures and changing lives is at the heart of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme in Northern Ireland where social exclusion and division has long put obstacles in the way of allowing youngsters to develop their full potential.

But at Belfast Activity Centre challenging and rewarding activities have been helping young people cross the divide for more than 15 years and support from Kia for the last three years has played a significant part in enabling even the most disadvantaged youngsters to benefit from the opportunities provided by the scheme.

And after a hard life ferrying youngsters around the province, the Centre’s existing Kia Sedona has just been changed for the latest all-new version of the seven-seat MPV.

Presented to His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh during a recent visit to see the Centre’s astounding new man-made caving system, the Sedona will spend its life helping young people grab the opportunity for personal development and make a contribution to the lives of other, less fortunate citizens of the city and the surrounding area.

Mr Eric Rainey, Director of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme in Northern Ireland said: “Kia have been staunch supporters of our work here for the last three years and quite simply some of the young people who take part in the programmes would not be able to do so without access to vehicles. We need vehicles that are reliable, flexible and that deliver – our Kia vehicles certainly do that.
“The existing Sedonas and Sorento provided by Kia have been invaluable and never stop! They have travelled all over Northern Ireland, over to the mainland and as far as the Pyrenees in support of our activities as well as allowing some of our older participants to take on the responsibility of looking after others,” he added.