A DEDICATED charity worker has been invited to party with Prince Charles to celebrate nearly three decades of working with young people in Mid Cheshire.
Bob Barton, of Carisbrook Drive, Winsford, has been invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace next week as recognition of Mr Barton's work with The Prince's Trust.
The 57-year-old has dedicated 27 years of his life to working as an assessor for the charity which helps people aged between 14 and 30, who have either struggled at school, been in care, in trouble with the law or are among the long-term unemployed, over-come barriers and get their lives back on track.
It gives them support including training, mentoring and financial assistance.
As an assessor for the charity, Mr Barton works with youths applying for grants to draw up a business plan and assess whether their needs can be met with funding from the charity.
His wife Glen says he should be proud of his invitation.
She said: 'This is an amazing achievement for him. These opportunities only come along once in a lifetime and I think for the amount of time and effort he has put in over the last 30 years, he deserves it.
'His work is vital in helping young people become independent and get on with their own lives. People who have benefited from Bob's work tell him that if it wasn't for him they would have gone off the rails. Bob's vision to help young people has encouraged them to stay on the right track and he has inspired others to carry on the work that he has done.'
Mr Barton, who also works for Cheshire Youth Service and has run youth centres in Winsford, will also be bending Charles' ear about funding, with financial problems hindering the Trust.
He said: 'I see patterns emerging in Cheshire where the money is needed. We invest a lot in people needing push bikes, driving lessons and fork-lift truck licences which can be quite expensive.
'But we are strapped for cash and it is causing major concerns. A lot of funding is being targeted at deprived, inner-city areas and unfortunately the financial support in Cheshire is minimal. I want to make sure that the Prince is aware of the problems.'
Mike Kennedy of the Grange Residents Association said: 'Bob has been an outstanding member of the community for over 30 years. His work with the youth, especially at New Images Youth Centre, means most people in Winsford know him by name and that's all down to his work with children.
'Anything that comes Bob's way is well-deserved, there is nobody more deserving. He puts so much effort into the youth services, it's above and beyond the call of duty.'
