16 October 2021

Sir David Amess was a wonderful supporter of YMCA and a dedicated champion of youth issues.

He was a Parliamentary Patron of the charity for more than a decade and advocated passionately for more funding and better services for young people.

There was a vibrancy about Sir David, and you knew when he entered a room. He could move between young people and parliamentarians, conversing equally with both.

He was charming, humble, and honest with the young people and charities he supported. His life was one of public service and the people of Southend-on-Sea, and YMCA, have lost one of their greatest ambassadors.