AN ORGANISATION which inspires and motivates disinterested youngsters by teaching them how to become BMW technicians celebrated its 10th anniversary tonight.

Among a plethora of the sleek and shiny brand new German manufactured vehicles at Sytner, London Road, High Wycombe, Skidz had its celebratory bash.

Teenagers, who have become disaffected at school or with social problems have the chance to learn skills in car mechanics and safe driving through the motor project, which runs a workshop in Leigh Street, High Wycombe.

Steve Godfrey, project director of Skidz in High Wycombe said: “Skidz is about re-engaging kids with learning and with education using motor vehicles as a hook.

“The young people who come to us are often disengaged with school and learning for a variety of reasons. “However, there area lot of them who are very academic and capable as well because they want to know about motor vehicles.

“We have lots of cases of young people who have come to us and completely transformed themselves - it’s not really our doing but we’ve given them the opportunity.”

One of the project’s shining stars was Charlie Hill, 21 from Marlow, who won BMW Group Academy UK's Best Improver 2007 after overcoming learning difficulties.

Darren Edwards, managing director at Sytner said: “Skidz is a great way for young people to get involved with the automotive industry.

“Our example with Charlie Hill who started here as an apprentice was a member of the Skidz scheme and he last year won the BMW apprentice of the year.

“He’s now one of the youngest fully qualified technicians in the country so we’re proud to have him associated with us.”

The Rotary Club of Princes Risborough organised a concert to mark the anniversary involving musicians from High Wycombe Music Centre, which provides training for musicians aged six to 19.

Rotary member and organiser John Holmes said: “Our rotary club ran on of these concerts as a charity concert three years ago to raise money and tonight they asked us if we would do the same for their 10th anniversary celebration.

“Skidz provides motivation for demotivated youngster by providing workshops. The teenagers are given a skill which hopefully will be useful for them in life.

“They do a very good job, they take in around 300 young people a year that have been referred by the police, or the school if they have been excluded or even by parents who can’t cope.”

The Adolphe quartet, playing brass instruments, entertained the crowd, prior to the main musical performances.

Guests were able to take a look at one of former rally driver Paddy Hopkirk’s famous red Mini Cooper racing cars at the dealership.