Project call to youths

Jan 9 2009 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Friday

A CALL has gone out for young people to take pride in Dumfries.

Businessman Mark Jardine has launched a new wing of his People’s Project scheme in a bid to get schools involved in the town centre clean-up.

Ideas for the Pupil’s Project have been circulated to schools throughout the region.

And Mark believes it’s the best way to invest in the future of Dumfries – and make it the cleanest town in the country.

He said: “Our children are the future, yet many of them feel disenfranchised and totally disillusioned, but I would like to give them a voice – and one that can be heard.

“Too many adults dismiss children as hoodies who are up to no good and who have no respect for society, perhaps our kids might just show them a thing or two.

“Through the Pupil’s Project, can we set the heather on fire in Dumfries and Galloway by involving out young people as an army to show the rest of us the way?”

Mr Jardine’s People’s Project is based around a vision to help regenerate Dumfries.

The initial scheme is a litter clean-up drive which has already seen a number of locals and businesses get involved.

Mr Jardine has suggested school pupils could get involved in sponsored road verge cleaning to raise cash for school funds and carry out projects on recycling and litter.

He said: “As a society, we owe it to our children to let them play their part, the days of being seen and not heard belong to a bygone era.

“Hopefully the Pupil’s Project will give them a voice and the belief that they are an integral part of our community, performing a worthwhile function that will make their world a better and greener place in the future.”

Anyone wanting to get involved in the Pupil’s Project should contact Mr Jardine on mark@jardinefunerals.co.uk.