Skidz

High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire was today's destination. I went there to visit and find out more about the Skidz Motor Project. Skidz is a charitable organisation that helps at-risk young people to gain vocational skills in motor mechanics, and seeks to set them on the path to a worthwhile future and a career in the motor industry.

I went there at the invitation of Paddy Hopkirk, famous for his distinguished rally driving career including winning the Monte Carlo Rally in a Mini, and also Graham Andrews, Skidz chief executive. Paddy is a patron of the charity, and I have also agreed to become another patron.

It was interesting to see the hands-on activity of groups of youngsters being tutored on their mechanics courses, working on cars donated to Skidz for the purpose. The charity's dedicated staff is also working hard to promote the project and grow it in the years ahead.

The aim is for something that has started on a small scale in a Buckinghamshire town to grow into something that will eventually become a network of similar locations around the country. It is a very worthwhile project and I am proud to be associated with it.