We always welcome a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers. This one from Tim Pritchard is an open letter to parents of children on the Island. In his own words. Ed
Now that the Olympics are over, I urge you to take a look at your children’s heroes. Over the last two weeks, we have pulled together as a country to support our nation’s athletes.
Prior to that we lined the streets to watch good, decent and often brave and courageous people of all ages run with the Olympic flame.
Fantastic achievements
We have all sat with our hearts in our mouths as Mo Farrah won the gold in the 10,000, Jessica Ennis completed an incredible victory in the Heptathlon or young Laura Trott won TWO Olympic Gold Medals at only 20.
I would imagine you have seen your kids cheering them on, hopefully having an invigorated love of sports.
What’s next?
Now think about what you’ll be watching over the next two weeks. Will it be Big Brother? Will it be soaps or programs about celebrity wannabes with no real value to add to society?
Kids are very impressionable. It takes one moment in a child’s life to see something or someone and say, “Yes, that’s who I want to be!”
Role models?
Which of the following people do you think is more aspirational and more suitable for you child to grow up idolising and trying to emulate?
Amy Childs
Born 1990
Appeared in The Only Way is Essex
Came Fourth in Celebrity Big Brother
At time of writing dating a contestant from Take Me Out
Featured on many magazine covers including ‘Lads Mags’ Loaded and FHM and Gossip Magazines such as New! (Discussing her new fake breasts) and OK!Extra (Free with The Daily Star, discussing one of many heartbreaks)
Left school with 4 GCSEs
Has a Level Two and Three Diploma in Beauty Specialised Techniques
or
Jessica Ennis
Born 1986
Commonwealth Games 2006 – Heptathlon Bronze
Summer Universiade 2005 – Heptathlon Bronze
European Championships 2010 – Heptathlon Gold
World Indoor Championships 2010 – Pentathlon Gold
World Indoor Championships 2012 – Pentathlon Silver
World Championships 2009 – Heptathlon Gold
World Championships 2011 – Heptathlon Silver
Olympic Games 2012 – Heptathlon Gold
Current British National record holder for the Heptathlon, the indoor Pentathlon, the High Jump and the 100m Hurdles
Engaged to long term partner
Patron of the Sheffield Children’s Hospital charity and a Sports Foundation
Ambassador for the Jaguar Academy of Sport
She writes a column for the Times Newspaper
She has been features on magazine covers such as Cosmopolitan (On Fighting for her dream) and Time Magazine.
Jessica completed her GCSES, gained 3 A Levels and a Degree in Psychology.
We shape our children’s futures
I only speak for myself”¦ but I know that if and when I have a daughter, I know who I would rather she turn out like.
We shape our children’s future, we shape the future generation, we shape the future. I could do a similar comparison for any number of the boys/men as well but you get my point.
Now is your turn parents “¦ inspire a generation; inspire YOUR generation, inspire the next generation.
Don’t let Great Britain become one big episode of Jeremy Kyle or Booze Britain in the next 20 years. Turn off the trash TV, don’t buy the trash mag, take your kids to the park. You might just enjoy it too!
I welcome your thoughts on this! Peace and love, Tipps
You can read more from Tim over on his blog Talk To Tippers
