Every year, I’m asked to record a Christmas message for the Darlington Talking Newspaper for the Blind – a wonderful local charity that quietly goes about providing an invaluable service.
Here’s the message I recorded this year…
“One of my duties at this time of year is to host an event called The County Durham Together Awards. Organised by The Northern Echo, and sponsored by the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner, Joy Allen, it is a celebration of individuals and organisations making a difference to the lives of others.
We are seeing far too much division, here in this country and around the world, so the awards night is a welcome injection of positivity – a reminder of what can be achieved when we work together.
There was an inspirational array of winners – people doing amazing things for their local communities, in all kinds of ways.
But my favourite winner of the night was also the youngest. A 12-year-old boy called Deaken Towel won the Young Person of the Year Award for his volunteer work with a charity Shildon Alive.
When he joined the group, Deaken was struggling with the transition to secondary school. He was shy and lacked confidence. But now he’s a vital part of the charity.
Shildon Live runs a project called Hands Up Bags for homeless people in the area. Bags are filled with all kinds of items to help those living on the streets, and Deaken has made it a personal mission to do all he can to help.
This shy little boy took it upon himself to write to local politicians, appealing for their support. He addressed council meetings. He went into local care homes, asking for spare blankets. And he stood up and spoke to community groups.
Deaken demonstrated true leadership to help others and, when I asked him on stage what his ambition was, he said simply: “To end all homelessness.”
He can’t achieve that alone, of course, but he is showing adults the way forward. It’s not about division and hatred and looking down on others. It’s about being caring, compassionate and helping those less fortunate than ourselves.
Sometimes, it can be easy to feel depressed about the world around us because there’s no shortage of bad news on television, radio, online, social media and in newspapers.
But there’s also lots of good news out there if you look for it, and 12-year-old Deaken Towel is a shining example of what should be the spirit of Christmas.
Amid all the politics of division, there are so many people giving their time for others who need help.
The Darlington Talking Newspaper for the Blind is another example, of course. A charity, run by dedicated volunteers, working together as a team to provideits vital service for listeners.
My Christmas message is a thank you to all the volunteers out there – young and old – who are the unsung heroes of society. Without them, the world would be a much poorer place.
I hope you all have a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year.”