I was delighted to meet 9 year-old Scarlett Smith at my constituency surgery to congratulate her on her excellent community and charity work.
Scarlett and I have been writing since the first Covid lockdown last year about her community and charity work that she has been doing. I invited Scarlett to meet me and that meeting took place at my latest surgery. We discussed all the good work Scarlett is doing and I presented Scarlett with a House of Commons teddy bear and Commons stationery together with a special parliament portcullis badge, for being a great community ambassador.
At the meeting, Scarlett asked on behalf of her headteacher for me to visit her school to discuss democracy, as well as to visit the Dover Food Bank together. Scarlett has been raising money and collecting gifts for children and families for Christmas this year and I have agreed to go with Scarlett when she takes the presents and food to the Food Bank before Christmas.
Scarlett’s many good works include raising money for Emmaus Dover by doing a sponsored walk and a 5k run for the NHS. She has participated in local online pageants to raise money for charities and has raised money for Together for Short Lives, Headway East Kent and the NHS. Scarlett has also been getting involved with environmental issues such as cleaning up beaches and recycling. Last year she spearheaded a campaign at her school to collect warm clothes for people who are homeless. Recently, Scarlett won a South Coast charity award and is still raising money for many other charities and giving donations to Cherished Gowns, Emmaus Dover and Kent Greyhound Rescue.
It was so nice to meet Scarlett at my constituency surgery. She is an inspiration to other young people. I am so impressed with her charity work and how much she has achieved at such a young age. It is so encouraging to see inspiring young people like Scarlett take such an interest in the world around them and take action to make a difference.
I am looking forward to joining Scarlett when she hands in her donations to the Dover Food Bank for Christmas.
I was pleased to present Scarlett with special parliament badge, House of Commons stationery and a teddy bear, that she named Boris. She is a great community ambassador and I look forward to seeing what else Scarlett looks to do and achieve.
What an inspiring young lady.
Scarlett said:
“I really enjoyed meeting Natalie. She is really nice. It made me feel good that I have raised money for charity and all the other things I did during lockdown and since then. I think Natalie is quite inspiring as she does a very important job that is hard. I am pleased that when I asked Natalie to come to our school she said she would, but I am nervous I have to ask the questions. I am also glad she will be there when I hand over the donations I have collected for Dover Food Bank too. Meeting Natalie made me feel special especially now I have my House of Commons bear called Boris. Thank you for meeting me and mummy.”