Agencies/London
The Prince of Wales is launching a campaign aimed at increasing the number of young people doing voluntary work in a bid to tackle gang violence.
Charles believes that street murders can happen due to the lack of organised activities for youngsters.
In an article in the Mail On Sunday, Charles says he often reflects on the courage shown by Barry and Margaret Mizen, whose teenage son Jimmy was murdered in 2008.
“The Mizens are convinced - as I have been for the past 40 years - that part of the solution is in providing more structured activities for young people. In my opinion, tragedies such as the murder of Barry and Margaret’s son are the extreme result of too many young people no longer guided through a rite of passage; young people who would benefit from the guidance and help of organisations such as the Guides, Scouts, cadets and other youth organisations.
“However, these are all groups which are hampered in their growth by a lack of adult volunteers.”
Speaking with the Mizens and members of Families United - a group for parents whose children have been killed by gang violence - made him even more determined to start a long-term leadership campaign.
“This kind of initiative can help to provide a constructive team-based substitute for destructive gang violence, so that no more families like the Mizens should have to suffer such untold misery in the future.”
Charles said that this week at Buckingham Palace he would join other influential figures including the prime minister, the deputy prime minister and the leader of the opposition, plus 50 young people, to launch a pledge campaign called #iwill, through a collaborative youth initiative called Step Up 2 Serve.