CHARLIE Cooke, who is currently studying at Farnham Sixth Form College, has been chosen as one of 20 young people to feature in TV and ‘Out of Home’ advertising campaign for the country’s flagship youth programme, National Citizen Service (NCS).

The National Citizen Service is a four-week programme designed to help 15 to 17 year olds make lasting friendships, embrace the outdoors and learn life skills they won’t necessarily learn in the classroom.

Charlie Cooke, aged 17, was selected from thousands of young people from across the country to take part in the campaign following her aptitude, which was recognised during her time on the programme and the enthusiasm Charlie has shown since, in encouraging more young people to sign up to NCS after spending last summer taking part in the four-week programme.

After being named as an NCS leader in October 2015, Charlie was invited to take part in an advertising and photo shoot in London shot by Creative Director, Giorgio Testi.

The television advertisement shows friends from NCS being reunited to relive their NCS experiences through 360° projections of footage filmed during the programme. It will be aired until the end of February on ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky, as well as in cinemas throughout February.

Charlie said: “NCS was one of the best experiences of my life and I was lucky enough to be able to relive it all over again as part of the advertising shoot with fellow NCS graduates from around the country.

“What started as merely four weeks of my summer holidays has resulted in lifelong friendships, a new-found confidence to allow me to step out of my comfort zone and an amazing experience that will stay with me forever.

“I’d say to any young person considering taking part in the programme to sign up straight away, NCS is the only once-in-a lifetime opportunity that never ends, you will have opportunities for months if not years to come after graduating, all from these four short weeks.

“I know you may be feeling nervous about applying but remember you’re not alone, everyone else is in the same position as you. Now all you have to do is say yes to NCS.”

The four-week part-residential programme is open to 16 to 17 year olds across England and Northern Ireland and costs no more than £50.

It aims to help young people take the next step in their lives with confidence by mixing with other young people, learning practical skills that prepare them for life after school and home and taking on exciting challenges.

More than 200,000 young people have taken part in the government-backed programme since it started in 2011.