In an inspiring act of generosity that has captured the hearts of many, Declan Donnelly, one half of the iconic TV presenting duo Ant & Dec, turned down a lucrative £200k advertising deal to fund the rebuilding of a youth centre in Sunderland that had been devastated by a fire. The centre, a lifeline for hundreds of at-risk children, held a deeply personal connection for Dec, who discovered a note he had written in 2003 on its charred walls. What followed was a life-changing phone call that has not only restored a vital community hub but also reminded us all of the power of giving back. Here’s the full story of Dec’s incredible gesture. 🌟👏

A Devastating Loss for Sunderland

The youth centre in Sunderland, known as the Mitre Youth Hub, had been a cornerstone of the community for decades. Originally a pub, the building was transformed into a youth club in the 1980s and became a safe haven for children in the area, many of whom faced challenging circumstances such as poverty, family instability, or exposure to crime. Over the years, it provided after-school programs, mentorship, and a space for kids to simply be kids—offering them hope and a sense of belonging. 🏫💡

Tragically, in late 2024, a fire tore through the centre, reducing much of it to rubble. The blaze, believed to have been caused by an electrical fault, left the community reeling. For the hundreds of children who relied on the centre, the loss was catastrophic. “It was like losing a second home,” said 15-year-old Jamie, a regular at the hub. “We had nowhere else to go, nowhere that felt safe like that.” The building, uninsured due to funding cuts, seemed destined to remain a charred shell, with local authorities estimating a £200k cost to rebuild—money they simply didn’t have. 🔥😢

A Personal Connection Uncovered

Declan Donnelly, 49, has long been a champion for youth initiatives, a passion influenced by his own upbringing in Newcastle and his brother Dermott Donnelly’s work with the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle’s Youth Ministry Team. Dermott, a Catholic priest who passed away in 2022, had been a driving force behind youth programs, and together with Dec, opened the W4 Youth Centre in 2013. So when Dec heard about the fire in Sunderland, he felt compelled to visit the site and see the damage for himself. 🕊️🌍

What he found there was more than just a burned-out building—it was a piece of his own history. As he walked through the wreckage, Dec noticed something on a partially intact section of the charred wall: a faded note, dated 2003, signed with his own name. The note read, “To the kids of Mitre—keep shining, Declan.” It was a message he had written over two decades ago during a visit to the centre with Ant McPartlin, his lifelong friend and co-host, as part of a charity event early in their career. The discovery hit Dec hard, stirring memories of the children he had met that day and the impact the centre had on their lives. “I stood there, staring at my own handwriting, and it all came flooding back,” Dec later shared in an interview. “I knew I had to do something.” 📝❤️

A £200k Decision That Changed Everything

At the time of the visit, Dec was in the midst of negotiations for a £200k advertising deal with a major brand, a deal that would have added to his already substantial fortune, estimated at £62 million. But standing in the ruins of the youth centre, with the note in his hand, Dec made a life-altering decision. He turned down the ad deal and instead committed the exact same amount—£200k—to rebuild the Mitre Youth Hub. “It wasn’t even a question,” he said. “Those kids needed that centre more than I needed another paycheque.” 💸🚫

The decision was followed by a phone call that would set the wheels in motion. Dec contacted Leo Pearlman and Heather Greenwood of Fulwell 73, the production company behind Sunderland ‘Til I Die, with whom he had recently collaborated on the Byker Grove reboot. Fulwell 73, based in Sunderland, had a deep connection to the area and a commitment to supporting local initiatives. Dec’s call was simple but powerful: “I want to rebuild this centre, and I need your help to make it happen.” Pearlman, a Sunderland native, was immediately on board. “Dec’s passion was infectious,” Pearlman said. “We knew we had to be part of this.” 📞🤝

Rebuilding More Than a Building

With Dec’s £200k donation and Fulwell 73’s logistical support, the rebuilding of the Mitre Youth Hub began almost immediately. The project, which broke ground in early 2025, aimed not only to restore the centre but to improve it, adding modern facilities like a computer lab, a music studio, and a quiet space for counselling. Dec was hands-on throughout the process, visiting the site multiple times and even helping lay the foundation alongside local volunteers. “It felt right to be there, to see it come back to life,” he said. 🏗️🎶

The involvement of Fulwell 73 also brought an unexpected boost. The company integrated the project into their ongoing efforts to support the North East, including offering training opportunities for young people through their Prince’s Trust Making It In Media course, a program Dec and Ant have long supported. Several teens who had once attended the centre were given roles in the rebuild, learning skills like project management and construction. “It gave them a sense of ownership,” Pearlman noted. “This isn’t just a building—it’s their future.” 📚👷‍♂️

A Community Reborn

The rebuilt Mitre Youth Hub officially opened its doors on May 30, 2025, just days before this article was published. The opening ceremony was a joyous affair, attended by Dec, his wife Ali Astall, and their children Isla and Jack, as well as hundreds of local families. The children who had lost their second home were there, their faces beaming as they explored the new space. Jamie, the 15-year-old who had spoken of the centre as a second home, was among the first to walk through the doors. “It’s better than it ever was,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion. “Dec gave us our home back.” 🎈🏠

During the ceremony, Dec unveiled a plaque with the words, “For the kids of Mitre—keep shining,” echoing the note he had found on the wall. He also shared a few words, his voice thick with emotion: “This place meant something to me back in 2003, and it means even more now. These kids deserve a chance to shine, and I’m so proud to help make that happen.” The crowd erupted in applause, with many parents wiping away tears. 😢👏

A Ripple Effect of Kindness

The story of Dec’s generosity has spread far beyond Sunderland, touching hearts across the UK and beyond. Posts on X have been filled with praise, with hashtags like #DecTheHero and #MitreYouthHub trending. “Declan Donnelly turning down £200k to rebuild a youth centre is the kind of story we need more of! Absolute legend! 🌟,” one user wrote. Another added, “That note from 2003 gave me chills—Dec’s heart is pure gold. 💛 #SunderlandPride.” The outpouring of support has even inspired other celebrities to pledge donations to similar causes, creating a ripple effect of kindness. 🌍📲

Dec’s act also holds special significance given his history with Sunderland. Despite being a proud Geordie, he has often shown love for the area, from supporting the opening of the Nightingale Hospital North East in 2020 to collaborating with Fulwell 73 on Byker Grove. His decision to rebuild the Mitre Youth Hub further