Sport stars Dame Kelly Holmes and Amir Khan back For Youth's Sake

Double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes and reigning boxing world champion Amir Khan have both endorsed the campaign. Holmes and Khan benefited from youth programmes when they were teenagers and have since gone on to set up their own youth organisations.

The For Youth’s Sake campaign is calling on central and local government and communities to find ways of supporting young people and the services that work with them during these challenging economic times.

Dame Kelly, chair of the DKH Legacy Trust, said: "It doesn’t seem to matter if they have just left school or been to university, making their way in life is really not easy for young people just now. I believe we should be helping these young people help themselves. I am therefore happy to pledge my support to a campaign that encourages employers, charities and others to join forces and find solutions to this national issue."

Khan, founder of the Gloves Community Centre in Bolton, said: "Attending youth projects gave me a real focus when I was growing up and the confidence to go on to pursue a career in boxing. Youth schemes can and do inspire young people to fulfil their dreams and achieve their goals in life. It’s vital that society continues to provide projects for young people, especially during these difficult economic times. That’s why I’m supporting the For Youth’s Sake campaign"

To show your support, sign the online pledge at www.foryouthssake.co.uk.