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The Prosser Perspective.... a weekly column from Dover and Deal MP Gwyn Prosser.

23 July 2009

With the national press preoccupied with bad news it’s inevitable that every time a young person commits an offence or a gang of youngsters run amok our papers are full of doom and gloom about the bad behaviour of the new generation – but mercifully, these stories are by no means typical.

One of the great things about being an MP is having so many opportunities to meet with youngsters and witness all the worthwhile things they are doing and the vast majority are thoroughly decent young people. For instance, last Sunday I met up with Chris Wood's team of Army Cadets from Dover as they set out from London’s Hyde Park on their 100 mile cross-country trek back to Dover's Town Hall to raise funds for the 'Help for Heroes' campaign.

This excellent campaign has caught the imagination of the nation and right across the country people are working hard to raise funds to provide extra support for members of the Armed Services injured in current fields of war. There are some great campaigns going on but few can compare with the challenge that the Dover squad of young cadets have set themselves. I’m sure they’ll have some great laughs along the way but these youngsters disserve our praise for giving up their time and putting themselves out for others.

After my Advice Surgery on Friday I dropped in to the newly opened Dover District Carers Support Office in Victoria Road Deal for a chat and an update on the great work they are doing. The moment you walk through the door you know you are amongst people who care – but these are the people who play the all important role of caring for the carers. So what’s that got to do with the ‘decent young people ’ theme ? Well, some of the bravest young people are those who find themselves responsible for caring for their parents, sometimes in the most challenging circumstances. These young, unsung heroes disserve our respect.

The Multi Cultural Festival in Dover has now established itself as a popular annual event and last month’s gathering certainly lived up to its reputation, not least by the talent and energy of all the young people who entertained us, helped run the stalls or simply came to enjoy the day – another example of local youngsters doing the right thing.

When I was growing up South Wales I was a cub and a scout and for a while an assistant scout leader but my adventures never took me further than Snowdonia and I would never have dreamed of setting out to lobby my MP in far away Westminster. But last week, scores of scouts descended on the House of Commons to do just that. Amongst them was 19 year old undergraduate, Dan Britnell who runs two scout groups in Walmer, and does a whole lot more for his local community – yet another one of those thoroughly decent young people.