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Olympic medallist pledges support for young people
Olympic silver medallist, Leon Taylor pledged his support for the young people of Sheffield this week as the Pledge for Success campaign was launched at the City Hall ballroom.
Leon was just one of a number of people involved in spearheading the Pledge for Success campaign to support young people to live their hopes and dreams in the city. Leon joined forces with Sheffield First Partnership and Sheffield City Council in a city-wide challenge to radically improve the way that children are supported in schools, homes and communities.
The first stage of the campaign is to encourage local businesses and organisations to sign up to pledge what support they can offer to help the city’s young people get the best start in life. Over 150 business contacts attended the launch event last night along with young people and Leon Taylor urged them to sign up to the campaign by announcing his own two pledges of support.
Leon Taylor, who is proud to be ‘Sheffield’s adopted son, said: “I moved to Sheffield in 1997 because it was the only place to be for a diving professional at that time. I turned down two places at colleges in America because of the fantastic facilities here. The support I received has enabled me to go on and win Silver at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, which was my childhood ambition. I can remember sitting on the settee with my Dad when I was seven years old, seeing Daley Thompson compete in the Los Angeles games and I told my Dad that I was going to do the same.
“I’m supporting this fantastic campaign in Sheffield and I pledge to be a role model for young people with sporting ambitions, mentoring them where I can and I also pledge to raise the profile of Sheffield in the field of sport.”
Leader of the Council and Chair of Sheffield First Partnership, Cllr Paul Scriven who introduced the campaign, said: “This is just the starting point for Pledge for Success. Our young people are the key to a successful future for Sheffield. There are too many children leaving school without fulfilling their potential. Six out of 10 children leave school without five good GCSEs including English and Maths and it’s not good enough. I want to make sure our city can offer young people the support they need to achieve, to help turn their ambitions into reality, and to go on to live a successful life. We are asking for local people to do something no matter how small, which will make a big difference to individuals.
“I would just like to extend my thanks to all the businesses that have pledged their support so far and urge others to join in. Any pledge, no matter how small can make a difference.”
Young people from Sheffield Theatres’ Young Associates Network also gave a well received performance about the struggle young people face when they are trying to start out on their chosen career path. Other key note speakers at the event included local organisations who are already supporting the campaign.
Find out more about the Success for All launch event and Pledge for Success.