My aunt died recently and in typical Celtic fashion the family sat round telling stories about her – some funny, some sad. I was reminded of a time about 20 years ago when I was a strict vegetarian and we dropped in on Aunty Peggy unexpectedly.

We’d just had lunch but it didn’t matter, Aunty Peggy insisted we eat. The scene played out like one of those in Father Ted “Go on, go on, go on – just a bite” repeated till we crumbled. Well Aunty Peggy didn’t understand vegetarianism and ‘just a bite’ turned into half a cow on a plate with some lettuce and tomato. My dilemma – to tell her I was veggie, or to shut up and eat up.

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As fires rage and looting runs on around the country it’s timely to remember that far less than 1% of young people are involved so over 99% are peaceful and many are a positive influence on the world.

So I’m doubly proud to post my daughter’s blog on her experience in Manvi, Southern India where she was working with the Dalit community (the Untouchables) for the past month. These are people who truly have nothing and their young people are disadvantaged in a way most in this country couldn’t begin to imagine.

The young people on this trip and many thousands like them are living their personal brand and showing leadership qualities from an early age. Something to remember as we watch those scenes of violence around the UK.

Here’s what Guenna has to say:

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