The Lieutenancy of Kent – Celebrating Youth Achievement

The Lieutenancy of Kent’s main initiative for 2007 was Celebrating Youth Achievement.

Throughout the year the focus was on the many positive activities and achievements of Kent’s young people.

Launching the initiative, the Lord Lieutenant, Allan Willett CMG, The Queen’s representative in the County, said: “Inevitably we tend to hear of anti-social behaviour and other negative aspects of young people, but that involves only a minority and is very far from the whole story.

“In my role as Lord Lieutenant I have seen at first hand the wonderful achievements of Kent’s younger generations – from selfless young carers and mentors to high-flying members of the County’s cadet forces.”

He said: “We cannot solve all the problems of youth in our County, and there will always be headlines reflecting anti-social behaviour. But we can highlight the positive.

THE BIG EVENT

MORE than 2,000 young people from all over the County enjoyed the 16 June Celebrating Youth Achievement event at the Kent Showground, Detling, and voted it a great success.

It was the highlight of the Lieutenancy’s initiative aimed at showcasing all the positive work being done by and with young people County-wide.

Heavy downpours did not spoil the fun and there was a carnival atmosphere with marching bands and colourful indoor and outdoor arena displays.

Welcoming young people taking part in the sponsored three-mile charity walk that started the day’s activities, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent Allan Willett told them: “The Lieutenancy places great importance on this initiative because young people represent the future of our great County.”

He added: “We want to inform young people about the many opportunities that are open to them, encourage them to become involved – and call for more adult leaders and helpers to come forward.”

The ‘All this – and more’ celebration involved more than 100 organisations Kent-wide, ranging from Young Carers to the Cadet movements and from church youth groups to rock bands.

Activities and opportunities on offer included arts and circus skills workshops, sports coaching and demonstrations, caving and climbing wall tuition, games, skills displays, and careers guidance.

Speaking to adult leaders at the end of the event, the Vice Lord Lieutenant, Viscount De L’Isle, said thanks to Kent’s great network of youth organisations and services the young achievers attending had made great strides in personal development, becoming valuable, more employable citizens, and giving themselves a head start in adult life.

He added: “None of this would be possible without the dedication, hard work and sacrifice of you, the adult leaders, helpers and supporters.

“But we need more of you – the more we have the more they can do for more of Kent’s young people. So let’s all encourage potential helpers and tell them what a great sense of achievement they will get if they do come forward, how worthwhile it is – and what fun it is.”

Full information is available via the website – www.lfoy.org

The Lord Lieutenant, Allan Willett and his wife Anne, starting the charity walk for young people from all parts of Kent.	The Lord Lieutenant and his wife Anne enjoying a visit to the VSU Youth in Action smoothie bar, manned by young people from across Kent.	The Vice Lord Lieutenant, Viscount De L’Isle (pictured next to police officer), visits the Kent Police drugs awareness display.
The Lord Lieutenant and Mrs Anne Willett with Royal Marine cadets from Chatham.	The Vice Lord Lieutenant, Viscount De L’Isle, with the field gun display Sea Cadets from Medway and Sheppey.	The Scalextric layout provided by Hornby plc, whose Chief Executive Frank Martin is a Deputy Lieutenant.