East End community heroes’ meet Gordon Brown at No 10
TWO community heroes’ from London’s deprived East End have been to 10 Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister. Rufus Clarke and Shaheda Begum were invited by their MP to meet Gordon Brown when he heard of the community work they do
TWO community heroes’ from London’s deprived East End have been to 10 Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister.
Rufus Clarke and Shaheda Begum were invited by their MP, farming minister Jim Fitzpatrick, to meet Gordon Brown when he heard of the community work they do.
Rufus, a Tower Hamlets youth worker for 20 years now working for Poplar Harca housing association, has taken many troubled youths under his wing over the years, personally mentoring them through difficult times.
Mr Fitzpatrick, the MP for Poplar, spoke of Rufus and Shaheda as “testimony to all the good in people.”
He added: “Speak to people and they will tell you what a difference Rufus has made to many young lives in Poplar.”
Shaheda has been involved with Neighbours in Poplar charity and the South Poplar and Limehouse Action for Secure Housing since she was 11 and now working for a Tower Hamlets children’s centre.
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Sister Christine, who has run the Neighbours’ charity for 35 years and remembers Shaheda helping out as a kid, said: “She is passionate about the community and has an inclusive and positive vision for the future.”
Shaheda was one of the six youngsters chosen to represent Tower Hamlets at Richmond, Virginia, during the 400th anniversary celebrations in 2007 of the Jamestown Settlers.
