Local MP supports young campaigners group in North Southwark and Bermondsey

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th Jul 2008

On Tuesday 15th July Simon Hughes, MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey, met with campaigners at the launch of Trailblazers, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign's new volunteering project which gives young disabled people the chance to campaign on issues important to them in their local communities.

The launch was held in Westminster where over 50 young people, families and supporters from around the country came together to present their stories, experiences and aims for Trailblazers to Parliamentarians.

The Trailblazers network will be open to anyone aged between 16 and 30 who would like to fight for the rights of disabled people. The young adults will lead campaigns on issues they feel strongly about, for example better support at school and university or increased access to transport and leisure facilities.

It is estimated that 1 in 1,000 people in the constituency of North Southwark and Bermondsey are living with muscle disease. Simon Hughes MP has added his signature to a House of Commons motion calling on the Government to address the obstacles faced by young people with disabilities wanting to access education, housing, employment and work experience and recognize the vital contribution young disabled people can make to their local communities.

Attending the reception and commenting on the launch, Simon Hughes MP, said:

"I was delighted to meet with local campaigners. It is very impressive to see so many young people getting involved in making a positive change on issues that affect them.

"Too often the views of young people are ignored. Just because you are young it doesn't mean you can't make a positive difference in your local community. I commend the work of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign who are running the young campaigners network.

"It's fantastic that young people with muscle disease are being given the opportunity to see their ideas make a difference, gain extra qualifications and really make an impact in our local community."