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U2 guitarist The Edge visits Co Antrim Mencap centre

The Edge with Mencap Young Ambassadors Barbara Norris and Marsha Sharma
The Edge with Mencap Young Ambassadors Barbara Norris and Marsha Sharma The Edge with Mencap Young Ambassadors Barbara Norris and Marsha Sharma

U2 guitarist The Edge has paid a visit to a new centre in greater Belfast which supports young people with a learning disability.

Ahead of U2's second show in Belfast on Thursday night, the musician dropped in at the new Mencap centre under construction in Newtownbreda, Co Antrim, and met children and their families.

The centre is set to open in January following an ongoing fundraising campaign which aims to raise £1.7m.

The 54-year-old guitarist was invited to become a Mencap Ambassador in 2009 by his cousin, Ciara Lawrence, who has a learning disability and works for Mencap in London.

Speaking on Thursday, he said: "I've been looking forward to seeing the new centre. We all need a stimulating environment and this looks like it will provide great support for families."

He urged people to donate to Mencap, which has been named official charity partner of Belfast City Marathon for the next three years.

"Supporting the marathon is an easy way to back Mencap, which is particularly important at the moment, with the cost of this amazing facility," he said.

"On a personal level, Mencap has done so much for my cousin Ciara in helping her reach her full potential. Everyone should have access to this kind of support."

Margaret Kelly, director of Mencap NI, said the charity was "incredibly grateful to The Edge for taking time from his busy schedule to visit our new centre today".

"The families attending this special event were so happy to meet him and hear more about his support for Mencap," she said.

"He has been a fantastic ambassador for Mencap and we hope his continued support inspires others to back Mencap and help make our new centre and the services we provide the best they can be for the whole of Northern Ireland."