A young ambassador from Teesside helped a pop icon launch a campaign to build a new Prince’s Trust centre.
Jade Savvery from Marton, Middlesbrough, met Cheryl Fernandez-Versini in Newcastle today .
Cheryl had come “home” to officially launch a campaign to raise £2m to help The Prince’s Trust build a new centre to support vulnerable young people.
The X Factor judge surprised Jade by remembering her from a previous meeting. She then further impressed the 21-year-old with her understanding of the kinds of struggles young people have growing up in the North-east.
“This is actually the second time I’ve met her,” said Jade, “She recognised me and knew who I was.
“Being from the North-east, she really understands the problems young people face. She’s a great example of what you can achieve if you follow your dreams.”
Jade has personal experience of the huge difference The Prince’s Trust can make to a vulnerable young person. Aged just 11, Jade tragically lost her father in a motor bike accident and, as a result, her confidence reached an all-time low.
Realising she needed extra support, Jade’s teachers referred her to The Prince’s Trust XL Club. With their support, Jade turned her life around and is now working for the NHS at James Cook University Hospital as an endoscopy decontamination assistant and is studying for more qualifications.
“I went through a real rough patch, I didn’t think I would make it through school. I find it hard to believe where I am now,” Jade said. “The Prince’s Trust has seen me through some dark times and I am so grateful to them.”
Cheryl has committed to raise £2m to help The Prince’s Trust get the new centre up and running through her own charitable foundation, Cheryl’s Trust. The centre, to be based in Newcastle, will allow the youth charity to support almost 4,000 young people in the North-east each year.
Cheryl said: “I’m proud of where I grew up but I’m only too aware of the challenges that young people faced. Opportunities often seem pretty limited and I saw so many friends who had loads of potential fall into a life of alcohol, drugs and crime. Sadly, many got in too deep, and never found their way back to a happy life.
“It’s really scary to see this is still happening in so many communities across the UK. Too many young people are wasting their lives away because they feel they have no-one to turn to.
“My life could have turned out very differently if I didn’t have the support of my family who believed in me. A little bit of self-belief can go a long way. I know how lucky I am.”
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