Youth Parliament backing

SIR, — In March, the young people of this area elected me as South Down’s representative at the Youth Parliament.

However, due to a shortfall in funding, Youth Parliament members from Northern Ireland were told they could only attend the parliament’s annual conference this month at the University of Nottingham if they were able to fundraise the costs themselves.

This is a key event in the Youth Parliament calendar as it is here members from across the UK come together to put forward and debate proposals and vote for their inclusion in the parliament’s manifesto. 

Devolved campaign issues are also voted on and because of the voting process, it is paramount that that those tasked with representing every young person in Northern Ireland are in attendance to give the North a much-needed voice at a national level. 

This annual conference therefore helps give the young people I represent in South Down a voice at UK level through the creation of new policies.

I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of local elected representatives and community groups in helping me secure the funding to allow me to attend the annual conference.

I would like to thank a number of people and groups for helping me raise the required £500. They are Newry, Mourne and Down councillors, Gareth Sharvin, Andrew McMurray, Patrick Brown and local authority chairman, Mark Murnin.

Thanks also to South Down MLA Colin McGrath, Sinn Féin Downpatrick and St Patrick’s Grammar School’s Parents and Friends Association.

Without the help of these generous public servants and community groups, I would be unable to properly carry out the duties of a member of the youth parliament and represent the young people of South Down to the best of my ability. I am indebted to them. 

Yours etc,

CORMAC SAVAGE,

Drumlin Park, 

Downpatrick.