IgniteHope was launched to the press yesterday. The event took place at the Welsh Assembly Building in Cardiff Bay. I was humbled to hear many kind words spoken about the project from people such as Assembly Member, Jenny Randerson, Mal Pope and Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council Councillor Judith Woodman (pictured)

The keynote address was given by Chief Constable Barbara Wilding.

The press release read as follows

Chief Constable Sits Down With Hoodies
One of South Wales' largest events for youth volunteers was launched today at the National Assembly for Wales.

Barbara Wilding, Chief Constable of South Wales Police spoke of the need to counter inter-generational suspicion on the streets of Wales. She also welcomed the news that this project will now extend to the Bridgend area, commenting that "Bridgend is a community that needs an arm putting around it."

IgniteHope 08 will mobilize 500 and young people 200 adults between 2-5 May 2008. They will work on community projects throughout South East Wales and it is estimated that these young people will give 7,500 hours of their time in supporting these local projects.

Gary Smith, Chief Executive of Ignite Hope 08 said: "Young people's failures are regularly trumpeted in the media, but this event gives us the chance to redress the balance. Half a thousand teenagers doing good deeds for free is a great story and we hope that the public will get behind this inspiring venture".

The range of projects include community litter picking, deleting unwanted graffiti and providing gardening services to the elderly and the infirm.

IgniteHope 08 is a partnership involving over 100 churches, local authorities and police forces. These include the South Wales Police Authority, Cardiff County Council, Vale of Glamorgan County Council, Churches Together in Newport and Evangelical Alliance Wales.

Jenny Randerson, AM for Cardiff Central said: I fully support this initiative which will benefit so many members of our community, both beneficiaries and benefactors. It will help underline the tenet that there is equal joy in both giving and receiving."

This project is part of the Hope 08 initiative, involving thousands of UK churches forming partnerships with other organizations in demonstrating the good news of the Christian message.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams said: "Hope 08 is a really remarkable vision. I thank God for the inspiration that has driven it."