Actor Ed Speleers is YouthNet's first ambassador
Actor Ed Speleers has become YouthNet's first ambassador supporting the charity's fundraising work for its LifeSupport Appeal.
Ed, who will shortly begin filming UK feature film Angel's Peak opposite Melissa George (30 Days of night, The Amityville Horror) is best known for playing the title role in the fantasy classic Eragon and appearing in British prime time series Echo Beach.
He is the first ambassador for YouthNet, which provides help, advice and information to young people at some of the most critical points in their lives via TheSite.org, its guide to life for 16 to 25-year-olds.
The charity is venturing into celebrity engagement as part of its promotion of the LifeSupport Appeal, which hopes to raise the funds needed to redevelop TheSite.org and revolutionise online support for young people.
Ed Speleers says: "I'm really enthusiastic about supporting YouthNet, because like the majority of young people, I couldn't imagine life without the internet.
"Online is a great place to find guidance when you need it, but it's really important for young people to find the right advice, which is why TheSite.org is invaluable, and why I want to help make sure it's there for years to come."
Ed, who attended the launch of the Appeal in London's Living Room, City Hall in October 2009, has agreed to take part in a fundraising skydive for YouthNet in 2010, as well as acting as a judge for the LifeSupport: Change through art competition in the film category.
He will also help to promote the charity through media interviews, photo calls, and engaging directly with young people via TheSite.org and his own website EdSpeleers.com.
Fiona Dawe, Chief Executive of YouthNet, says: "It's fantastic to have Ed's support. As a young actor, our service users will look up to what Ed has achieved.
"His interest in new media and online communication, along with his ambition and drive, make him the perfect fit with YouthNet's vision for young people."
TheSite.org provides straight-talking, anonymous information and advice 24 hours a day, on subjects including work & study, drink & drugs, and sex & relationships. Its bespoke question and answer service, askTheSite, provides young people with a confidential, personal answer to any question within three working days.
To follow Ed's work with YouthNet, visit www.youthnet.org/whoweare/YouthNet-ambassadors for the latest news.
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Media Enquiries:
For further media information – or to arrange interviews – please contact Gabriella Jówiak or Sarah Wilson at YouthNet on 020 7250 5716 or out-of-hours on 07766 660 755. Email media@youthnet.org
Notes to editors
- Run by young people's charity YouthNet, TheSite.org is the online guide to life for 16 to 25-year-olds. With over 2,000 articles written by experts and journalists, a series of blogs, podcasts and videos, a bespoke question and answer service (askTheSite) and a thriving online community, TheSite.org is the central place for young people to turn to for sound, straight talking, anonymous advice 24-hours-a-day
- The LifeSupport Appeal is a three-year, £5 million appeal to raise vital funds to completely redevelop TheSite.org and revolutionise online support for young people. More information about the LifeSupport: Change through art competition is available at www.TheSite.org/lifesupport
- Every month, TheSite.org is visited by over 500,000 unique users, and receives around 800 questions on issues ranging from relationships to advice on housing. Content on TheSite.org is also available on mobile, at TheSite.org/mobile
- YouthNet is the UK's first exclusively online charity and was founded by Martyn Lewis CBE in 1995. It aims to create a socially inclusive environment where all young adults are engaged, informed and inspired to achieve their ambitions and dreams, and does this through three websites: TheSite.org, Do-it (do-it.org.uk) the UK's leading volunteering website and Lifetracks.com, for young people making decisions about work, study or training.