SOON after I was first elected as the MP for Barnsley Central, I worked with the Barnsley Chronicle to set up the Proud of Barnsley Awards. I believe it is very important that we come together and celebrate everything that is great about our town.
That is why I am proud to be supporting the Barnsley Young Champions 2018 awards.
When we think about role models, we often think of important historical figures and people from our past. But there are young members of our community who have already made a positive impact and they are some of the most important role models our town has to offer.
Tala Lee Turton recently became only the third British person to graduate from the elite Bolshoi Ballet Academy. Holly Tandy has impressed millions with her performances on the X-Factor. Ali Khosravi and Brandon Green both represented our town with distinction in the Youth Parliament debate in the House of Commons this year. And the exceptional members of our Barnsley Youth Choir have performed on the international stage and won huge prestige and a number of awards along the way.
Far too often we hear the talent and ambition of our young people being talked down. But I am always struck by the enthusiasm and zest for life that our young people display; the ambition to make the most of the opportunities which come their way.
We all have a responsibility to encourage those aspirations. The hopes and dreams of the next generation are incredibly precious and we should never take them for granted. We have to inspire them to realise those ambitions as well as celebrating the contribution they have already made.
Most of all, we have to make sure our young people are proud of where they come from. Growing up in Barnsley and in Yorkshire should be a badge of honour. I look forward to our town coming together to celebrate the achievements of our fantastic young people at the Barnsley Young Champions 2018 awards.
