AROUND 200 people celebrated 30 years of work by the Prince’s Trust by taking part in the Giant Stride event at Caird Park in Dundee yesterday.

Monifieth musician Laura McGhee led the entertainment at the Tayside event, which was one of 10 Giant Strides taking place across Scotland simultaneously.

It began with a one-mile walk round the park and also featured rock bands, Angus and Dundee ACF Pipe Band, street football and climbing.

Dundee MSPs Shona Robison, Shiona Baird and Kate Maclean attended along with MPs Stewart Hosie and Jim McGovern.

Lord Provost John Letford officially opened the event, which was also supported by Angus Council environmental and leisure services convener, Councillor Joy Mowatt and Councillor Elizabeth Grant, Perth and Kinross Council lifelong learning vice-convener.

The Radio Tay Roadshow provided music and there were stalls by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, Tayside Fire and Rescue and Michelin.

Laura McGhee said, “I am delighted to be an ambassador of the Prince’s Trust.

“I admire the work the trust has done in helping the lives of young people, especially in Tayside, and I am honoured to be headlining the 30th anniversary Giant Stride Party in Caird Park.

“I hope it will be successful in raising the profile of the Prince’s Trust so that many more young people can benefit from it.”

Chairman of the Tayside board of the trust Ian Jones said, “This is about celebrating the work of the trust and making people aware of the work of the trust as well as having a fun afternoon.”

Dundee Lord Provost John Letford said, “This is one of 10 being held all over Scotland to celebrate 30 years of work to support young people.

“In those 30 years the trust has helped to change the lives of many young people who were facing all sorts of challenges and difficulties.”

Mr Letford said that 4000 young people in Tayside had been helped by the Prince’s Trust, many of whom had had drug problems, difficulties with the law or had lost their way in life, while others had been granted financial help to start their own business.

Mrs Grant said, “The Prince’s Trust is vital for the future of the country and the whole area.

“It instils all these skills into our young people and provides more opportunities so they have a much more interesting and fulfilling life.

“It brings the best out of young people and we at Perth and Kinross Council are fully supportive of the trust.”