A ROYAL charity is pledging even more support for young people during the credit crunch.

Jackie Tyler, North West regional director of The Prince’s Trust, said: “During these challenging economic times, it’s often young people who suffer most.

“In Britain today there are more than one million people under the age of 25 who are not in work, education or in training and many more have underachieved at school.

“In the North West alone, more than 60,000 young people aged 16-29 will claim Jobseeker’s Allowance this month.

“In their short lifetimes, many of these will have already been written off as “losers” and others branded “unloved” or “out of control”.

“Of course, we cannot forget the young people across the country who have so tragically lost their lives through gun or knife crime.

“But we all have a responsibility to tell the truth about our nation’s youth. All too often their work in the community goes unnoticed under a shadow of negative headlines in the national media.”

Research shows teenagers are more likely to volunteer than any other age group.

Young people on Prince’s Trust programmes have also contributed almost £100m to their local communities through tens of thousands of community projects across the UK.

Mrs Tyler said: “This figure is especially significant when you remember they will have either struggled at school, have been in care, have a history of long-term unemployment or have been in trouble with the law.

“Their successes are testament to the fact that young people do care about where they live and can turn their lives around with the right support.”

Last year in the North West, The Prince’s Trust supported more than 4,500 disadvantaged young people in need of a second chance. Three in four went on to access work, education or training.

Mrs Tyler added: “If we stop believing in our young people, young people will stop believing in themselves.

“They hold the key to our region’s future economic prosperity and the prosperity of communities across the North West.”

To pledge support for young people, visit the website www.princes-trust.org.uk