GENERAL LORD GUTHRIE BACKS HOMELESS CENTRE

BY LUKE COPPEN
ONE 01. Britain's most senior military figures has praised the Cardinal Hume Centre for its success in combating youth homelessness.
General Lord Guthrie, the former Chief of the Defence Staff, said that the centre was effective because it not only brought young people off the streets, but also integrated them back into normal social life.
Lord Guthrie, pictured above, was speaking to 100 supporters of the Cardinal Hume Centre at a special reception in the historic Speaker's house in the Houses of Parliament. The guests were Invited by the Speaker, Michael Martin MP.
Auxiliary Bishop George Stack of Westminster gave a short reflection on the origins of the centre, which was was founded by the late Cardinal Basil Hume, Archbishop of Westminster, in response to a sharp increase in youth homelessness in the 1980s.The Cardinal wanted to enable young people to break out of the cycle of homelessness and deprivation.
Richard Owen, chairman of the Cardinal Ilume Centre charity, told guests that the centre had expanded in recent years thanks to the generosity of its many supporters.
He also announced plans to extend the capacity of the centre, which is located near Victoria Station in London. He said that the centre planned to create at least 12 extra bedrooms for homeless people aged 16 to 21 years.
Other guests at the event, which took place on November 20, included Lord Craigmyle, Lady Darcy de Knayth, Lord Hylton, Admiral Sir William O'Brien, Sir Michael Quinlan, Sir Hugh Ross and Baroness Scotland.