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Charles’s 60th birthday treat is visit to youths helped by his charity
Robert Mendick, Chief Reporter14 Nov 2008
PRINCE Charles spent his 60th birthday today meeting young Londoners whose lives have been turned around by his charity, The Prince's Trust.
Charles and his wife Camilla toured a community centre in Beckton, east London, which had been refurbished by young beneficiaries of the trust.
He met Ibrahim Mehmet, who was also celebrating a birthday - his 20th. The prince joked: "You're still young. It's so bloody long ago I can't remember what it was like."
Mr Mehmet, from Dagenham, said: "He's impressive. I'm most impressed he came down to see us today, it shows he cares. The trust has helped me build my confidence and get some motivation and skills to help me get a job. It's changing my life."
The community centre, Stroud Pavilion, used to be a dilapidated bowling green club but has been transformed by 36 young people to be used as an after-school club and by a nearby nursery.
The Prince also met Michael Baptiste, a former England basketball player from Leyton, who used £5,000 from the trust to set up a club Shoot A Ball Not A Gun. The basketball club encourages pupils to take part in sport rather than be drawn to crime.
The Prince told 26-year-old Mr Baptiste: "I'm impressed - that's a very good idea." Mr Baptiste set up the charity in 2006 after seeing his community ravaged by gun and knife crime. He said: "One of my friends at school was shot and nearly died. I knew I had to do something to help young people see there was another way apart from gangs. The people I used to hang around with at school got into a lot of trouble with guns but because I played basketball in the evenings I didn't go down that path. If sport could help me have a positive focus in my life it can help other people."
Shoot A Ball Not A Gun is supported by the Met's Operation Trident, and the Black Police Association.
Charles today launched Youth Week, a campaign to highlight the positive contribution young people can make to society.
As part of the week, more than 50 MPs are today being shadowed during their constituency visits by young people who have been involved with the trust. The Prince said that more than 500,000 teenagers had been helped to rebuild their lives. "Nothing can give me greater reward and satisfaction than seeing young people's lives turned around, particularly young offenders, and seeing them go on to be team leaders and inspire others," he said.
"Some people who have been the most difficult can be the best leaders." He said the trust's 12-week Team Programme gave young people self esteem and skills they could take into the workplace.
"That extra bit of self-confidence opens up huge opportunities people didn't realise were there before. With the trust what I've been doing all these years is investing in their futures."
His birthday was marked by a 41-gun salute in Hyde Park at noon - a present from the Queen - followed an hour later by a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London.
Later he was attending a classical concert at the Royal Opera House organised by the Prince's Foundation for Children & the Arts.
Last night, the Queen hosted a birthday dinner and concert for her eldest son at Buckingham Palace attended by European royalty and celebrities including Dame Shirley Bassey. A YouGov poll for Sky News today suggests 20 per cent of his future subjects do not believe Charles should accede to the throne. That was mitigated by the fact that 42 per cent said age does not matter and that Charles should become king regardless of how old he is when his time comes.
Reader views (11)
I was impressed following the documentary, I can see why he and Diana couldn't work both so different age made a difference also...I agree with his views on spirituality and meeting the Dalai LAMA, when politicians are afraid to do so...incidentally life is even harder for the Tibetans now as China continues her brutal reign there!
- Jean, England, 14/11/2008 17:33
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There really are some ignorant peasants around!! Lou from London - the Duchy of Cornwall is a privately owned estate who's taxes are fully paid and Prince Charles does NOT receive a salary from the State. There are far riches people living in this country than the Prince who do nothing and pay NO taxes.
- Tony, London, London, 14/11/2008 15:09
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Hmm I don't remember being asked. Charles shouldn't be king, not because of his age but because he has shown himself to be someone incapable. I don't want a Monarch who gets married, shags someone else's husband but then announces he is marrying said slapper all at the same time as he is being investigated for how much tax he pays on his duchy of cornwall. Had Diana not died he would have been incapable of rescuing his image. The fact that he is patron of some charities shouldn't discount from the millions of pounds he has avoided paying to the country, whilst still being paid.
- Lou, London, 14/11/2008 13:34
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I admire Prince Charles for his support for organic farming and other issues regarding the environment, although the TV birthday documentary is pretty selective with what it tells us about this man. I doubt he should be the Defender of any faith personally, having duped the nation as to his real intentions when he married Diana in St Paul's Cathedral all those years ago. Has he ever apologised to the nation for his sinful adultery with two mistresses during his marriage?
- Patricia Vincent, bromley, 14/11/2008 12:41
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Noting that the rather infamous, ageing Bertie got his turn to serve as Monarch after his mother's death, I believe that Charles should have the throne after his mother's death. In fact, the present Queen would be gracious to move to status of "Queen Mother" if she becomes ill or reaches age 85. Long live the Queen! Why not Charles? Could he really do any harm?
- Dorian Borsella, Baltimore, Md. USA, 14/11/2008 12:13
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So the YouGov poll for Sky News supposedly suggests 20 per cent of his future subjects do not believe Charles should accede to the throne? Was this poll carried out by ringing 100 people who happened to be in watching 'Trisha' yesterday morning - because I don't remember being asked. I am sick of polls purporting to represent the views of the populace gleaned from asking six pensioners and a handful of schoolkids in a chipshop. Besides which this would still tend to suggest that Charlie boy has an 80% mandate, better than Barack Obama's and one that El Gordo would kill for.
- Squiz, Islington, 14/11/2008 12:00
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Happy Birthday Charles! Hope its a riot!
- Julie, London, 14/11/2008 11:46
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I think everyone is being a little premature. The Queen is still alive and well and if she lives as long as her mother Charles will be 80 when she dies. So lets wait another 20 years and then if he is still in the running we can then debate the issue. Quite frankly, who wants an 80 year old king to ascend the throne. All will be revealed.
- Peter, London, 14/11/2008 11:45
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I am one of those high-percentag people who don't really care.
- Frederick, London, UK, 14/11/2008 11:27
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If people are opposed to Charles becoming King because they do not want a monarchy, that is fine; they are entitled to their views. However, those who think that Charles should make way for William, because he is younger/better looking/sexier, or because they don't like Camilla, should realise that the monarchy is not
Big Brother or X Factor. Charles has done more to help young people than most gtovernments have. He is better prepared to be King than many of his predecessors. He will make an excellent King. I do hope he will not change the Oath, though. Defender of the Faith is fine.
Defending the Christian faith should be good for everybody as Christianity preaches love and compassion, even towards those who would destroy it.
- Beatriz, London, 14/11/2008 10:45
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I know that it goes against the grain for the British press but instead of being negative, let's be positive for a change.
80 per cent say "be king".
- Casper Slides, France, 14/11/2008 10:32
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