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Margate teenager Katie Knight meets Prime Minister David Cameron to press for change

00:00, 21 January 2015

updated: 10:46, 21 January 2015

A Margate teenager has had an audience with the Prime Minister.

Katie Knight, 15, met David Cameron as part of the launch of Action/2015 – a movement of more than 1,000 organisations to press world leaders to change the world for the better.

She said: “It was a great experience to meet the Prime Minister and remind him how important 2015 is for young people across the globe.

Katie Knight, from Margate, meets Prime Minister David Cameron
Katie Knight, from Margate, meets Prime Minister David Cameron

“I want to live in a world where people have enough to eat, can go to school and where we have clean air to breathe and safe water to drink, all without discrimination.

“The decisions the Prime Minister makes in 2015 can help make that happen.

“That is why I, among thousands of people like me, am urging leaders to make the right choices.”

She was joined by Isha Mandke, 15, a volunteer with the British Red Cross, who has led fundraising for Great Ormond Street hospital as a charity official in Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School.

The pair also met Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg as part of the global campaign, which was launched last week.

Isha is part of the Red Cross Peer Education Project and has organised fundraising for the Imibala charity which provides less fortunate children with education, food and clothes.

She said: “I know how essential it is that we work with each other to make the world a better place.

“In volunteering with my community this was true, and it’s true now I’m working to raise awareness of the massive opportunity that’s in front of us.

“Meeting the political leaders was great and it was very interesting to talk to them about development and climate change, but it’s crucial that they know we’re not going to stop there.

“My generation is demanding action and 2015 is the year to do it.”

Katie is a volunteer with the British Red Cross and training to teach first aid in the community.

She organised fundraising for the Haitian earthquake appeal in 2010 and shaved off her hair this summer to be made into a wig for a child affected by life-threatening diseases.

The 15-year-old has a skydive for Make a Wish Foundation booked to celebrate her next birthday.

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