Doncaster MP's three-pronged attack offers dreams of a brighter future

The transformation of Doncaster Sheffield Airport into a Freeport would make it and the iPort a tax-free and tariff-free zone and would bring huge investment to our area.

The merits of having a Freeport in Doncaster are outlined at nickfletcher.org.uk

A new hospital would obviously be wonderful. Raising this at Prime Minister’s Questions will have at least brought this to the forefront of his mind and, with a promise the Health Secretary will visit shortly, one can only hope this will be some substantial progress in this area.

My recently established Role Models initiative aims to build upon the work undertaken by the good people of Don Valley during the Covid-19 pandemic and help the young people of our borough to achieve their dreams.

Again, more about the project can be found on my Facebook page.

Role Models, transforming DSA into a Freeport and getting us a new hospital are all part of the same goal to me; ensuring young people in our constituency have a bright future.

All children should have dreams and aspirations and should write them down as goals.

Yet their goals are more easily achieved when they have a mentor who can help them, by encouraging and inspiring them, picking them up when they fall and congratulating them when they win.

In times gone by, this was usually the parents’ role. Sadly, with many children living in unstable homes and some parents unable to mentor their children regularly, this is where a Role Model can help.

So how does the Freeport and the hospital fit into this? Well a freeport will provide those research, manufacturing, construction and managerial jobs our young people might want to do.

Meanwhile, a teaching hospital on our doorstep will also provide an abundance of opportunities.

Doncaster jobs for Doncaster people - what could be better?

But these opportunities can only be taken up if our young people are inspired.

Otherwise, I am afraid people outside the borough will grasp these opportunities instead, which will leave our young people behind.

I want Tommy from Thorne, Ben from Branton, Carla from Conisbrough and Eleanor from Edlington all to train in Doncaster and then get jobs in Doncaster.

They will achieve this by dreaming big and writing down their goals.

And when they are where they want to be, it is hoped they can share their experience with the next generation by becoming Role Models themselves.

Being a Role Model is not just about setting goals.

It is about being a great citizen too; treating yourself, others and where you live with respect, taking responsibility and being able to forgive yourself and others when things go wrong.

Being a good Role Model is tough, but the benefits are huge.

This is a grand plan and a huge task.

Yet every huge fire starts with the smallest spark, and this week the flame has been ignited through Role Models.

If we all get behind this, look forward with optimism and help our young people, then Don Valley and Doncaster will be a land of opportunity, an area of innovation and, most of all, a place of big smiles.