Aylesbury Youth Concern bid fond goodbye to founder Roger Priest

Aylesbury Youth Concern are a vital local charity who provide a safe place for young people to meet and access support when they need it.

Roger Priest passed away peacefully in the early hours of Thursday 3rd December, aged 90. His health had been deteriorating over recent months; and he was ready to go.

He was very involved with fundraising for and establishing The Uptown Coffee Bar, affiliated with Youth Concern, in Aylesbury, Bucks. The Uptown Coffee bar is place where young people who are homeless or have very difficult personal circumstances, can go for advice, support, food and drink.

A statement from the charity said: "We were saddened to hear of the death of our founder, Roger Priest, earlier this month.

"In the eighties, the lack of care for teenagers and young adults, particularly single mums, greatly moved Roger so he and some friends started the Uptown Coffee Bar and Youth Concern.

"As a long-term District and County Councillor he was in a position to be an influence for good, he was awarded an MBE in 2006 for his services to the local community. Roger will be greatly missed by many people, both young and old.

Paying a tribute to Roger, David Lidington said “Roger was my Labour opponent in 1992. Whatever our political differences, we got on well and he was utterly committed to campaigning for a better deal for young people in Aylesbury.”

Roger's family has asked that donations are made to Youth Concern in his memory.

Donations can be made by clicking here.It is Rogers funeral today, which will be held virtually at 2pm.