0:00:03 > 0:00:07One of the things I love about us Brits is our spirit of generosity.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10If I can give back to somebody who had a similar struggle to my own,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13then that's what I'd like to do.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Last year, nearly three quarters of us gave to charity.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19But what if you had the chance to go back and relive moments
0:00:19 > 0:00:21from your past?
0:00:21 > 0:00:22I wish I was 18 again.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27I'm expecting Mum and Dad to walk out now and say hello, you know?
0:00:27 > 0:00:28- Yeah.- You know?
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Moments which would inspire you to want to help someone today.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34I want to give back to those people that are going through
0:00:34 > 0:00:36what I went through in the beginning.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37If I can give something to somebody else that
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- will change their lives, I would really love to.- Fantastic.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44Someone who had no idea this life-changing windfall was coming.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47I have got potentially her dream...
0:00:47 > 0:00:49in my hand.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50- How are you feeling?- Nervous!
0:00:50 > 0:00:51SHE LAUGHS
0:00:51 > 0:00:53'There'll be surprises...'
0:00:53 > 0:00:55- How are you?- Good?
0:00:56 > 0:00:58- EMOTIONAL:- Thank you so much.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00- Thank you.- Aww.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03'..with acts of generosity that will change people's lives...'
0:01:03 > 0:01:05- We're excited!- Aww.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07We're all crying!
0:01:07 > 0:01:09- You need a hug, as well. - Yeah, thanks.
0:01:09 > 0:01:10'..for ever.'
0:01:10 > 0:01:12Look at that, that's brilliant!
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Somebody that just does that for people,
0:01:14 > 0:01:16it's just amazing, it really is.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18This is Going Back, Giving Back.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Today we are going back to the 1950s to hear the remarkable story
0:01:32 > 0:01:35of a young boy who overcame huge adversity.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41His resilience and determination helped him to succeed,
0:01:41 > 0:01:43and it's his childhood experiences that's motivating him
0:01:43 > 0:01:46to want to change somebody's life today.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51Can this successful barrister's early life struggles
0:01:51 > 0:01:54motivate him to give something back today?
0:01:54 > 0:01:57There was no other way to deal with racism and abuse
0:01:57 > 0:02:00other than sometimes just to fight.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04What was the extraordinary family secret
0:02:04 > 0:02:06that, as a child, he was made to keep?
0:02:06 > 0:02:09There would have been a huge scandal, so I kept their secret.
0:02:09 > 0:02:10Wow, what a door.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13'There's a surprise reunion.'
0:02:13 > 0:02:14MAN LAUGHS
0:02:14 > 0:02:16When was the last time you saw him?
0:02:16 > 0:02:19Well, in the flesh, 40-odd years ago.
0:02:19 > 0:02:24And can he give one inspiring young man the opportunity of a lifetime?
0:02:24 > 0:02:26- Wow, thank you.- Pleasure.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28- Thank you.- All right.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31I do appreciate it and this will go a long way to helping me
0:02:31 > 0:02:33reach my goals.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47There was a real sense of community spirit back in the '50s -
0:02:47 > 0:02:50everybody knew everyone else, kids played out freely on the streets,
0:02:50 > 0:02:52there was a real sense of belonging.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55But if you were a black child growing up as part of a white family
0:02:55 > 0:02:58in a Northumberland village, then, eh, life was very different.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02The person I'm going to meet made a virtue of these difficulties,
0:03:02 > 0:03:04and I can't wait to hear his fascinating story.
0:03:07 > 0:03:1259-year-old Peter is a high-profile barrister and part-time judge.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16He has dedicated his life to justice and has been awarded an OBE
0:03:16 > 0:03:19for his work on equality, diversity and human rights.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23A father of two, he now lives in London,
0:03:23 > 0:03:27but he grew up in Northumberland, and that is where I'm meeting him.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29- Peter, good to see you. - Hi, nice to meet you.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33So, go on, what is motivating you to want to give back today?
0:03:33 > 0:03:35As a kid growing up in the northeast,
0:03:35 > 0:03:36I experienced a lot of racism,
0:03:36 > 0:03:39a lot of racial attacks - in spite of a very happy childhood -
0:03:39 > 0:03:42and therefore if I can give back to somebody
0:03:42 > 0:03:44who had a similar background to my own,
0:03:44 > 0:03:48that wants to struggle and achieve, then that's what I'd like to do.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50Peter had a tough start in life.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53He was born to a black father and white mother,
0:03:53 > 0:03:56and soon after his birth he was put into care.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59At the age of two, he was adopted by a white family
0:03:59 > 0:04:03and taken to live in a predominantly white village.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07Being one of the only black kids in the area was often a real struggle.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10What were some of the things that happened to you, then?
0:04:10 > 0:04:13The first day at primary school I was attacked with coking coal,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16so there were rocks thrown at me in the playground.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19And, eh, I started to fight back.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23But it was hard because there was about five or ten kids,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26no teacher in sight, and there was a white kid who came up,
0:04:26 > 0:04:28and I remember him saying clearly, "I think you need some help."
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- So we both had a go.- Gosh. Wow.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34The support of others has been crucial to Peter
0:04:34 > 0:04:37in the challenges he has faced throughout his life.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Now, he in turn wants to help someone else.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42It's a huge thing that you are doing, though, isn't it?
0:04:42 > 0:04:44it could change somebody's life.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47If this helps to inspire one person, or more than one person,
0:04:47 > 0:04:51- then fantastic. - In order for you to give back,
0:04:51 > 0:04:53I think first of all we need to go back.
0:04:53 > 0:04:54Shall we go and head on a journey?
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- Yeah, let's go. - I'm parked just over here, come on.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02We're hoping that by taking Peter on this trip back into his past
0:05:02 > 0:05:05and reminding him of how far he has come,
0:05:05 > 0:05:07it will help him make the massive decision
0:05:07 > 0:05:12of how he can give something back today.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15So, have you got any idea where we are going now?
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Well, you're not far from Widdrington,
0:05:17 > 0:05:21which is where I grew up from when I was about six years old.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25Then I left when I was about 19 to go to Leicester University.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26So, these back roads you'd have
0:05:26 > 0:05:28seen me cycling around at some point.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- Oh, really? - Yeah, and playing cricket.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33What does it feel like to be back?
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Lots of memories - for the most part good, I think.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40My childhood was generally a happy time.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42But obviously...
0:05:42 > 0:05:47the '60s were a hard time to be a black kid anywhere in the UK.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53After World War II, the United Kingdom
0:05:53 > 0:05:55became far more racially diverse.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59We needed immigrant workers to help rebuild the nation, and so
0:05:59 > 0:06:01these citizens of all British Commonwealth countries
0:06:01 > 0:06:04were given the right to live and work here.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07But they were often met with prejudice and bigotry,
0:06:07 > 0:06:11and growing up black in Britain in the 1950s and '60s
0:06:11 > 0:06:13could be a tough experience.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17As a young person, obviously you know you're different,
0:06:17 > 0:06:21and there are times when that is a real struggle.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23So there were some very hard days.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Peter grew up in a family that valued fairness and equality.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30His white mother encouraged him to learn about his black heritage
0:06:30 > 0:06:33and about the struggle for black civil rights
0:06:33 > 0:06:36that was being waged during the 1960s.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Who were your role models when you were growing up as a kid?
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Well, it was generally people of African descent
0:06:42 > 0:06:45that you would see on television,
0:06:45 > 0:06:47so my mum was very good and said,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50"Look what's happening in South Africa with apartheid",
0:06:50 > 0:06:55and so role models of Mandela, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- Right.- So I had a very good political awareness.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- Even as a youngster? - As a youngster, yeah.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Today, Peter works hard to combat prejudice
0:07:04 > 0:07:06by campaigning on issues such as
0:07:06 > 0:07:09the racist murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13Peter's strong moral principles were instilled in him in childhood.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15He grew up in a religious family,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18so the first stop on our return journey is his local church.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22This is a place with a few memories, I bet.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24How often were you dragged here?
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Normally every Sunday, and then when I was a teenager I rebelled a bit,
0:07:27 > 0:07:29so we agreed a compromise of once a month.
0:07:29 > 0:07:34I couldn't sing, unlike some people, so I couldn't contribute very much.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36- I read the odd lesson.- Did you?
0:07:36 > 0:07:37You know everyone can sing, don't you?
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Well, no, you seriously haven't heard me
0:07:39 > 0:07:41and you would not want me to sing.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44So would you say faith played a part in your childhood?
0:07:44 > 0:07:49Yes, it did, although I think at one point, you had to fight,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51and so that part of it is not quite akin
0:07:51 > 0:07:54to the Bible of turning the other cheek.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57I did some boxing in school to defend myself,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00and, erm, it did help.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03There was no other way to deal with racism and abuse
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- other than sometimes just to fight. - Confront it.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Yeah, head-on.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- Shall we move on? - Yeah.- Come on, then.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17We've reached our destination.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21The village of Widdrington is in the southeast of Northumberland.
0:08:21 > 0:08:26During the late 1800s, a colliery operated here for nearly 50 years.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Today, however, it's a mainly agricultural area.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38At two years old, Peter was adopted by a vicar and his wife,
0:08:38 > 0:08:41and a few years later they moved here, to the vicarage.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43It may have been an extraordinary start in life,
0:08:43 > 0:08:46but Peter was happy with his adoptive parents.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50- So this was home?- Yes, it was.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52So you were how old when you were here?
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Six years old when I arrived.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57- Right.- Or five, probably five.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59So when was the last time you were in the vicarage?
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Gosh, that must be about...
0:09:02 > 0:09:04'82.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- Wow.- A while ago. - Many, many years ago.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11- Yes.- Coming back here is bound to evoke powerful memories for Peter.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15It was here that he learned a shocking truth about his parents -
0:09:15 > 0:09:18a secret he was made to carry for years.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Do you want to go back in?
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Yeah, go on, then.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24- Are you sure? - Yeah, there's nobody...
0:09:24 > 0:09:25What's going through your mind now?
0:09:25 > 0:09:27This is the quietest you've been.
0:09:27 > 0:09:32Yeah, well, my uncle passed away the year we left, so...it's quite sad.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- A lot of memories in there. - Yeah, yeah.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37But I remember my parents were sad when I went to university,
0:09:37 > 0:09:39because I didn't look back.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Sometimes you should look back.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- Or we can look back properly by going in. Come on.- Yeah.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Are you ready for this?
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Yeah. Yes. Wow.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Gosh. It seems quite big.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01It does, doesn't it? It's empty now.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04'The house is currently unoccupied while the local church
0:10:04 > 0:10:07'awaits the arrival of a new vicar.'
0:10:07 > 0:10:09I used to do my studies here,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12and I came here to read the results of my O-levels,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15because I didn't want anybody else to find out.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- How did you do? - I got nine.- Well done.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- To my great surprise... - Hey, well done, congratulations.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22..and everybody else's.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27These rooms may be bare, but for Peter, they're full of memories.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29He shared this house not only with his parents,
0:10:29 > 0:10:32but also his maternal grandmother.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- There used to be an Aga cooker... - Right.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40..and my grandmother used to have her traditional pig's foot,
0:10:40 > 0:10:41because a lot of the meals that
0:10:41 > 0:10:43working-class people in the northeast had
0:10:43 > 0:10:46were what people in the Caribbean had, actually,
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- because it was offcuts... - Yeah, yeah.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51..and bread and dripping,
0:10:51 > 0:10:53some really weird stuff which I never liked.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56I just had my baked beans and that was it.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00But, yeah, that was my cricket pitch, my tennis court.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03Yeah, I planted a tree - yeah, it's still there -
0:11:03 > 0:11:07- when I was about seven or eight. - Gosh.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- This was the front room. - Yeah, yeah.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13My mum had a baby Bechstein grand piano here.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Wow, it must have been massive.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18It filled the room, but a baby grand.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22My mum used to play, erm, Negro spirituals, and...
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Yeah.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29It was good, it was very good.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31It's all coming back to you, isn't it?
0:11:31 > 0:11:32Yeah, it is. Yeah, yeah.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34- Shall we head upstairs?- OK, yeah.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36'The memories are flooding back for Peter.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38'For him, this house was a safe place,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40'a refuge from the prejudice
0:11:40 > 0:11:42'he often faced outside the family home.'
0:11:45 > 0:11:48There was a time when I was at boarding school, when I was...
0:11:48 > 0:11:49I think I was about seven years old,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51and I had been playing rugby and I came back to
0:11:51 > 0:11:56the changing room, and after some of the abuse I think
0:11:56 > 0:12:01I remember trying to scrape the skin off the back of my hand
0:12:01 > 0:12:04to see if it would come off.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07But you would go to incredible lengths
0:12:07 > 0:12:10to actually, sometimes, make yourself fit in...
0:12:10 > 0:12:11ALED EXHALES
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- ..as an alternative to always having to fight for your identity.- Mmm.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18But sometimes, Peter still ended up fighting.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20On his first day at grammar school.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23he faced racist name-calling from his classmates.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27I jumped across the desk and started beating them in the head -
0:12:27 > 0:12:30to the horror of this grammar school class!
0:12:30 > 0:12:37And the RE teacher pulled me off, took me down to the deputy head,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40who sat me down and said, "You can't do this here."
0:12:40 > 0:12:43I said, "Well, I'm sorry, but if people treat me like that,
0:12:43 > 0:12:45"I'm going to beat them."
0:12:45 > 0:12:48And he said, "Well, let's agree this,
0:12:48 > 0:12:50"you don't hit people,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53"you tell me who they are, and I will deal with them."
0:12:53 > 0:12:55- Wow.- And he did it immediately.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57He called the boy down that abused me,
0:12:57 > 0:13:00gave him six of the best with a cane,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03sent me up back up to the class and that was the deal.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06That saw me through about six years of grammar school.
0:13:08 > 0:13:09Although he had been adopted,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12growing up, Peter maintained regular contact
0:13:12 > 0:13:16with his birth father, who came from Sierra Leone, West Africa.
0:13:18 > 0:13:23There was a tradition of Sierra Leone and West African doctors
0:13:23 > 0:13:27coming to practise dentistry and medicine in Newcastle.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31My father came on a troop ship here to the UK in 1945,
0:13:31 > 0:13:35before the end of the war, to study medicine.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39It was whilst he was studying in Newcastle that Peter's father
0:13:39 > 0:13:40had met his mother.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43And he began a very short relationship,
0:13:43 > 0:13:47from what I gather, with my mum, who was married at the time.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50And, erm, along I came.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53And they couldn't really work out what to do.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Aware of the impending scandal of a married white woman
0:13:57 > 0:14:00giving birth to a black child that wasn't her husband's,
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Peter's mother left Newcastle and travelled to Scotland,
0:14:03 > 0:14:05where she placed Peter in care.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11I think that is the reason why I was born in Edinburgh,
0:14:11 > 0:14:13because it would have been an awful lot
0:14:13 > 0:14:16of explaining for everybody to do, to have done.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18- Right.- Everybody would have lost their job
0:14:18 > 0:14:19- if this scandal had broken.- Mm-hmm.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23While Peter always knew who his birth dad was,
0:14:23 > 0:14:26he had always been told his birth mother was dead,
0:14:26 > 0:14:30but it was in this house that he learnt the shocking truth.
0:14:30 > 0:14:37And it was only when I was 11 that I forced my mum, in fact,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40to say what the reality was.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41And she...
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- told me in here, actually.- Right.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48Peter's adoptive mother revealed
0:14:48 > 0:14:50that she was actually his birth mother.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52She'd placed him in care as a baby
0:14:52 > 0:14:54before adopting him at the age of two.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57That way, the potentially scandalous secret
0:14:57 > 0:14:59of an affair between a white vicar's wife
0:14:59 > 0:15:02and an African doctor was concealed,
0:15:02 > 0:15:05and the family's respectable reputation was preserved.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08What went through your mind?
0:15:08 > 0:15:12Erm... Relief, I suppose. It's nice to know who your mother is!
0:15:12 > 0:15:16- Absolutely.- So that was a very heavy thing to say to a child,
0:15:16 > 0:15:20and what followed was, they asked me to keep it a secret.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26So... Because the consequences,
0:15:26 > 0:15:30even in '60s Britain, is that my adoptive father
0:15:30 > 0:15:33was a vicar, Church of England,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36my father was a general practitioner -
0:15:36 > 0:15:38an anaesthetist, actually -
0:15:38 > 0:15:42and it would have been a huge scandal, so I kept their secret.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45I can tell, even by telling the story now,
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- it moves you.- Yeah. Yes, yes.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52It must have been so tough for you at that age.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55It was. It was hard, but, you know,
0:15:55 > 0:15:59children are formidable, in a way, and you rise to the occasion
0:15:59 > 0:16:02and you realise the damage that it can cause.
0:16:02 > 0:16:03You're relieved because YOU know,
0:16:03 > 0:16:04and it doesn't care what anyone says,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07you have that confidence of knowing.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09From the age of 11, Peter grew up secure in the knowledge
0:16:09 > 0:16:13of his true parentage. He enjoyed a close relationship
0:16:13 > 0:16:16with his stepfather, who he referred to as his uncle.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21My uncle, as I called him, treated me as his natural son.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23My father, I didn't have a brilliant relationship with,
0:16:23 > 0:16:25but he was my father.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28He worked very hard, he was an excellent doctor
0:16:28 > 0:16:31and had a very strong West African tradition
0:16:31 > 0:16:32of education and excellence.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Is the spirit of your family still here, do you think?
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Yeah, it is. Well, my uncle died in the next...
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Passed away in the next room,
0:16:41 > 0:16:45my grandmother in a room two doors down.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48So it has... That's obviously sad.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- Mmm.- For anybody, I think,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53going back to where you have that bereavement,
0:16:53 > 0:16:58you recall images of people who were very important in your life.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Hopefully, they would be proud of me.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03I'm certainly proud of them.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Peter has succeeded in life thanks to the support
0:17:05 > 0:17:08he received in his youth from his family and teachers.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12Could returning here convince him to help somebody else in return?
0:17:12 > 0:17:16Isn't it amazing that we are back in a room that means so much to you -
0:17:16 > 0:17:19lots of key events have happened in this room
0:17:19 > 0:17:22but actually they've made you who you are today?
0:17:22 > 0:17:24It gave me the strength to actually
0:17:24 > 0:17:27make me understand exactly who I was,
0:17:27 > 0:17:29and to be proud of all that heritage.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32And being back in this room, in this house today,
0:17:32 > 0:17:36has it reinforced in you that desire to give something back?
0:17:36 > 0:17:42Well, it does, I mean, if my story can inspire somebody to achieve
0:17:42 > 0:17:44no matter what, then it's a success.
0:17:46 > 0:17:47Going back to the house where he grew up
0:17:47 > 0:17:50has clearly strengthened Peter's desire
0:17:50 > 0:17:52to make a positive contribution to someone's life.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Coming up - our team have been on the case to find someone
0:17:57 > 0:18:00whose story will really strike a chord with Peter,
0:18:00 > 0:18:03and we think we've found them.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05This inspiring young man's life
0:18:05 > 0:18:07has remarkable parallels with Peter's own.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10He thinks we're just making a programme about Peter.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14He has no idea that he could be in for a real life-changing gift.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20Meanwhile, back in Northumberland,
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Peter has one more place to visit on his trip down memory lane.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27I've brought him back to Stobswood Cricket Club,
0:18:27 > 0:18:30where he spent many happy hours as a youngster
0:18:30 > 0:18:32playing in the village team.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Yeah, this is where I used to play cricket,
0:18:34 > 0:18:36or what passed for cricket for me.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Comparisons to great West Indian bowlers,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42of which I had no resemblance whatsoever!
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Certainly in the cricket. We used to play village teams all the way
0:18:45 > 0:18:47from Hexham up to Bamburgh Castle.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- OK.- Where, if you hit the castle wall,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52you got a six. Which I never did.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54- Really?- No, no.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58But, yeah, great times. It was very friendly,
0:18:58 > 0:19:02and I was very much part of the local community.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- Shall we go and have a wander in?- Yeah.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07'What Peter doesn't realise is that there are
0:19:07 > 0:19:10'a few old faces waiting for him inside.'
0:19:10 > 0:19:12THEY LAUGH
0:19:12 > 0:19:14- How are you?- I'm good!
0:19:14 > 0:19:16How's things? Long time, eh?
0:19:16 > 0:19:19My gosh. Looking good. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22'Ian and Laurie are two of Peter's childhood friends
0:19:22 > 0:19:24'and old cricket team-mates.'
0:19:24 > 0:19:26You weren't expecting this, were you?!
0:19:26 > 0:19:28I was not expecting this! I was not expecting this.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30Have you got that tenner you owe us?
0:19:30 > 0:19:32I think HE'S got it!
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Eh... Not today!
0:19:35 > 0:19:37When was the last time you saw him?
0:19:37 > 0:19:39Well, in the flesh, 40-odd years ago.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42Really? He hasn't changed a bit(!)
0:19:42 > 0:19:46- We've never changed, have we? - Not at all, not at all!
0:19:46 > 0:19:48'Peter used to come here every weekend.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51'Like his family home, it was a place he felt safe,
0:19:51 > 0:19:53'away from the abuse he often received at school.'
0:19:54 > 0:19:56What's it feel like being back here?
0:19:56 > 0:19:58It's amazing. I just didn't expect...
0:19:58 > 0:20:00Cos I thought it was deserted,
0:20:00 > 0:20:03I didn't know you'd be here, so that was a lovely surprise.
0:20:03 > 0:20:04There were lots of times earlier on today
0:20:04 > 0:20:07where you've been talking about some of the abuse
0:20:07 > 0:20:10you experienced as a kid, but there was none of that,
0:20:10 > 0:20:12it seems, here - everyone was the same?
0:20:12 > 0:20:14So quiet, yeah.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Probably you'd get relief here, wasn't it?
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Yeah, it was a very happy time,
0:20:18 > 0:20:24and treated with respect was, in a sense, part of it.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Sport's great for that, though, isn't it?
0:20:26 > 0:20:30It is, it can do. The friends I made here were solid.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Seems like it was a really happy place to be,
0:20:33 > 0:20:35- and a lot of jokes, a lot of fun.- Yeah.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37It's still like that now.
0:20:37 > 0:20:38- Is it?- It's very much like that now, yeah.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40It's not changed, really.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42The idea is that Peter's come back
0:20:42 > 0:20:44because he wants to help somebody who's going through
0:20:44 > 0:20:46a similar situation as he was as a child.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48What do you think of the idea that he's going to help somebody?
0:20:48 > 0:20:50I think it's ideal, isn't it?
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Perfect guy to do it, you know what I mean?
0:20:53 > 0:20:56From where you've come from and what you've done with your life now.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59I was very lucky. I had a lot of love growing up, as well,
0:20:59 > 0:21:02a lot of support, so, in a sense, this is part of it.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05If it helps anybody to succeed, then fantastic.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08You'd be a perfect role model for someone, you know? Ideal.
0:21:08 > 0:21:09What do you think about it?
0:21:09 > 0:21:11I think it's great,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14it's over 40 years and he's come back again,
0:21:14 > 0:21:16starting afresh, more or less.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Do you fancy going into the middle?
0:21:18 > 0:21:20- Go on, go on. - Are we going out there, are we?
0:21:20 > 0:21:22- Yeah.- Come on, then, let's go.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24'40 years after he last played here,
0:21:24 > 0:21:27'could this be Peter's chance to show his old team-mates
0:21:27 > 0:21:30'he's still got what it takes on the cricket field?'
0:21:30 > 0:21:33Look, your bad cricket's been saved by the weather!
0:21:33 > 0:21:36We can play in this - this is just a drizzle!
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Well, you've won! Thanks very much.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Yeah, you can play on your own if you like.
0:21:41 > 0:21:42Come on, let's go to the bar!
0:21:42 > 0:21:46'Rain may have stopped play, but it's not dampened Peter's spirits.'
0:21:49 > 0:21:52It's clear that bringing him back to where he spent his childhood
0:21:52 > 0:21:54has sparked powerful memories.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56My parents were sad when I went to university
0:21:56 > 0:21:58because I didn't look back.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Sometimes you should look back.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07Along the way, he's shared his experience of a remarkable childhood
0:22:07 > 0:22:08shrouded in secrecy.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13He began a very short relationship, I gather, with my mum,
0:22:13 > 0:22:17who was married at the time, and, erm, along I came.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20But most importantly,
0:22:20 > 0:22:24this return journey has helped focus Peter's mind on giving back.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29If my story can inspire somebody to achieve, no matter what,
0:22:29 > 0:22:31then it's a success.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39Well, this trip down memory lane has been so enlightening for Peter,
0:22:39 > 0:22:43hasn't it? His extraordinary resilience has allowed him
0:22:43 > 0:22:45to turn his life around and he's now willing
0:22:45 > 0:22:47to help other people and give something back.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Of course, there are many people who could benefit
0:22:50 > 0:22:52from Peter's generosity, but we think we've found someone
0:22:52 > 0:22:55whose story will hopefully resonate with him.
0:22:59 > 0:23:0222-year-old Kwasi was born into a London family
0:23:02 > 0:23:03with West African roots.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06He's a young man who's overcome plenty of challenges.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Like Peter, he spent time in care.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Due to issues he was experiencing at home,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16at the age of 11 he was put into a foster home.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19It was hard, I was quite upset and scared about that.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24To be taken away from my mum at that age for such a long period of time
0:23:24 > 0:23:27was quite traumatic for me, and, yeah, did affect me.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31During this time, Kwasi also started secondary school.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34He feels his disruptive home life was the cause of
0:23:34 > 0:23:36his behavioural problems.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38My behaviour at school was pretty bad.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41I also felt that the teachers didn't get me or understand me,
0:23:41 > 0:23:45and I felt sometimes I was just kind of written off rather than
0:23:45 > 0:23:48maybe given a bit more focus, or them see my potential.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Sadly, his foster carer felt she couldn't cope,
0:23:52 > 0:23:54and he was moved into a children's home.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57This was another huge blow for Kwasi.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59Yeah, that really did hurt me.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03I actually liked where I was at the time, so that did kind of upset me.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05At 17, he left the care system,
0:24:05 > 0:24:07and although he struggled for the first few years,
0:24:07 > 0:24:11he's now turned his life around and is studying politics at university.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Like Peter, he has a passion for wanting to help others.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17I believe in giving people a fair chance,
0:24:17 > 0:24:20and in creating a fairer and better society for everyone.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26We are about to find out whether Kwasi's story
0:24:26 > 0:24:29will resonate with Peter and motivate him
0:24:29 > 0:24:32to make a massive contribution to this young man's life.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36It's always exciting to give back to another person who's starting out,
0:24:36 > 0:24:39in a sense, on their journey
0:24:39 > 0:24:42and I had many people do the same thing for me,
0:24:42 > 0:24:44when I was at this stage, so it's always good
0:24:44 > 0:24:47to give back in that way, whenever you can.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50We've arranged for Peter and Kwasi to meet.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52The two men have a great deal in common,
0:24:52 > 0:24:54including a shared West African heritage.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59This encounter will crucially help Peter decide
0:24:59 > 0:25:03whether Kwasi is the right person to benefit from his support.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05- Hi, Kwasi. Peter. - Have a seat.- All right?
0:25:05 > 0:25:07- BOTH:- Nice to meet you. - Yeah.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Kwasi thinks we're making a programme about Peter's life
0:25:11 > 0:25:13and has no idea that he could be in line
0:25:13 > 0:25:15for a life-changing gift from Peter.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19So I understand your parents are from Ghana and Nigeria?
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Yeah, so my dad's side of the family is from Ghana
0:25:21 > 0:25:23and my mum's side is from Nigeria.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25OK, have you been back home at all?
0:25:25 > 0:25:27I've been to Nigeria once when I was 11.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29OK. How'd you find it?
0:25:29 > 0:25:30I really enjoyed it, I really got to see what
0:25:30 > 0:25:33- it's actually like back home. - Do you live with your parents?
0:25:33 > 0:25:36- I'm not, actually, I'm staying with my uncle at the moment.- OK.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Peter is keen to learn more about Kwasi's time
0:25:39 > 0:25:40in the children's home.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42That must have been very hard,
0:25:42 > 0:25:44because, I mean, being a black kid in any children's home
0:25:44 > 0:25:46in the UK is hard work.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48- Yeah.- I spent the first couple of years...
0:25:48 > 0:25:49I'm not sure where I was, actually,
0:25:49 > 0:25:52I think I was in a children's home
0:25:52 > 0:25:54or catered for by foster families,
0:25:54 > 0:25:57and I was 12 by the time I knew who my mum was.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00- Yeah.- Ended up living with my mum, but it was hard.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02The unique thing about this children's home
0:26:02 > 0:26:04- is that it's catered to black children.- OK.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08So actually tried to help my needs and actually tried to cater to me,
0:26:08 > 0:26:11so I think it was quite useful for me.
0:26:11 > 0:26:12I still had some issues,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15but I think over the years I was able to calm down
0:26:15 > 0:26:19and actually...behave correctly.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23Like Peter, Kwasi has been lucky to have positive role models
0:26:23 > 0:26:25to guide him in life.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28The carers in his children's home encouraged him
0:26:28 > 0:26:29to work hard at school,
0:26:29 > 0:26:32but when he left the home aged just 17,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34Kwasi lost direction for a while.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37If it wasn't for the strong guidance he'd had earlier in life,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40things might have gone wrong for Kwasi.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Care leavers are five times more likely to end up in prison
0:26:43 > 0:26:45than the general population.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49I think one of the things that's difficult when you have those issues
0:26:49 > 0:26:50is that you can go either way.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53It's very easy to get into the criminal justice system,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56so to avoid all of that is a major achievement.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01It's like a journey, and as long as you can keep to that goal
0:27:01 > 0:27:05you've got and get through it, then you've done fantastically well.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08After a shaky start on leaving the care system,
0:27:08 > 0:27:11Kwasi succeeded in turning his life around and applying himself
0:27:11 > 0:27:14to his studies. He overcame massive odds
0:27:14 > 0:27:17to win a place at Essex University studying politics.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21Only 6% of young people who leave care like Kwasi manage
0:27:21 > 0:27:25to get into university - six times less than the national average.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27You're the first person to go to university in the family,
0:27:27 > 0:27:28or there's been others before?
0:27:28 > 0:27:32- No, I'm the first. - The first? OK, OK.
0:27:32 > 0:27:33Well, that's amazing.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35- So are you enjoying that? - Yeah, I'm really enjoying it.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38It's stimulating, from the pressure and that.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Kwasi's determination and work ethic have earned him the respect
0:27:44 > 0:27:45of his fellow students.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Whenever I see him on campus he's always got something
0:27:48 > 0:27:50to do or he's always going somewhere,
0:27:50 > 0:27:53so he always seems to be a busybody,
0:27:53 > 0:27:56so that kind of like makes him out to be someone
0:27:56 > 0:27:58who's always got plans and someone
0:27:58 > 0:28:00that's always making plans,
0:28:00 > 0:28:03and that kind of person you know is going to go somewhere with his life.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06What are some of the hardest things
0:28:06 > 0:28:08you've had to overcome, do you think?
0:28:08 > 0:28:10You know, just in getting to where you are, because that's...
0:28:10 > 0:28:14Actually to get to study politics at university is quite
0:28:14 > 0:28:17an achievement, so did you have any real struggles getting there at all?
0:28:17 > 0:28:20I guess in some parts of my life I was written off,
0:28:20 > 0:28:24people tried to determine my future by what I've done,
0:28:24 > 0:28:26but I guess I actually know what I'm capable of
0:28:26 > 0:28:29and I know that young people in similar positions,
0:28:29 > 0:28:31sometimes they just need the opportunity
0:28:31 > 0:28:34that's put around them that's genuine.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37Kwasi is passionate about challenging the kind of stereotypes
0:28:37 > 0:28:39that have affected him personally.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42He isn't just studying politics at university -
0:28:42 > 0:28:45like Peter, he is also putting it into practice.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Off his own back he's set up a political society on campus
0:28:50 > 0:28:54which promotes equality - a subject he cares deeply about.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57He's also been helping out at a local charity
0:28:57 > 0:28:59whose cause is close to his heart.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03I'm also doing a volunteering and shadowing thing
0:29:03 > 0:29:06at a local charity that tries to help the employment...
0:29:06 > 0:29:09the employment rates of young black men in London,
0:29:09 > 0:29:11which has been quite interesting.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14So once you've done your degree, what do you think
0:29:14 > 0:29:16of yourself doing after that? Where do you want to be?
0:29:16 > 0:29:19I want to get into politics, but I don't want to be a politician.
0:29:19 > 0:29:20Why not?!
0:29:20 > 0:29:22- Just a lot of backstabbing...- OK.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26..and if I want to be a politician, I think I want to be genuine
0:29:26 > 0:29:29and that, and I don't want to get corrupted by the system.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31Maybe the system's got to be a bit more reformed
0:29:31 > 0:29:34- before I'll think about...- Don't close the door, though, because...
0:29:34 > 0:29:36- Yeah.- Just keep your options open.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39There's some people who can be honest and have some integrity.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41So what do you want to see in a few years' time
0:29:41 > 0:29:43when you've done all this and you've...
0:29:43 > 0:29:46Where would you like to see yourself in five years' time?
0:29:46 > 0:29:48Sort of what they ask you in an interview sometimes, you know?
0:29:48 > 0:29:50One of the personal goals I've set myself
0:29:50 > 0:29:52is actually setting up a charity -
0:29:52 > 0:29:55ideally something that will bring actual change in people's lives
0:29:55 > 0:29:58and there's a few options I've had, so, like, maybe
0:29:58 > 0:30:00going into schools and actually trying to get young people
0:30:00 > 0:30:03engaged in politics, give them an actual voice
0:30:03 > 0:30:06and help them find themselves politically.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09Kwasi's ambitions will soon be tested in the real world.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12He's about to enter his final year at university.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14Before long he'll be joining a crowded job market,
0:30:14 > 0:30:17where he'll be competing against graduates
0:30:17 > 0:30:20from far more comfortable and well-connected backgrounds
0:30:20 > 0:30:23for valuable work experience placements or internships.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26- I've been applying for quite a few jobs.- Right.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29I'm competing with graduates, so I guess it's quite hard.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31Even trying to get an internship,
0:30:31 > 0:30:33if you're not financially stable, it can be quite hard
0:30:33 > 0:30:35to do an unpaid internship.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38While internships provide vital work experience
0:30:38 > 0:30:40and connections, they're often unpaid.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Right now, Kwasi doesn't have the money he'd need
0:30:43 > 0:30:47to live on while on a placement.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50So how do you manage your finances?
0:30:50 > 0:30:53Because it must be quite hard coming through that.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55Do you have a part-time job or...? How do you get by?
0:30:55 > 0:30:57No, I'm living off my student loan at the moment.
0:30:57 > 0:31:02So if there was something that you could use right now
0:31:02 > 0:31:07to help you achieve one of those goals, you know, what would it be?
0:31:07 > 0:31:09To get paid, practical work experience,
0:31:09 > 0:31:12where you're actually making proper change and getting paid financially
0:31:12 > 0:31:14will help me be more independent.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17Yeah, that sounds good. No, it makes a big difference, so...
0:31:17 > 0:31:19Excellent, yeah.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21Well, listen, it's been really great to meet you.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23I really enjoyed hearing about your story.
0:31:23 > 0:31:28- Thanks for sharing that with me. - OK. Nice to meet you.- All right.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32So what impact has this meeting had on Peter?
0:31:32 > 0:31:35In Kwasi, he's met a young man whose life has strong parallels
0:31:35 > 0:31:38with his own - from the early years spent in the care system,
0:31:38 > 0:31:40through their shared academic success
0:31:40 > 0:31:42and their passion for charitable work.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Does Peter feel he can make a positive contribution
0:31:45 > 0:31:46to Kwasi's life?
0:31:48 > 0:31:51I think there are certainly some very concrete things
0:31:51 > 0:31:55I can do to make sure he gets to be that person he wants to be -
0:31:55 > 0:31:58whether it's financially or in terms of mentoring,
0:31:58 > 0:32:02he would clearly benefit from direct help to get to where he wants to be,
0:32:02 > 0:32:04and I think also, importantly,
0:32:04 > 0:32:06he would help others in the same position themselves -
0:32:06 > 0:32:08he isn't somebody who would get to where he wants to be
0:32:08 > 0:32:11and then just forget about it or pull up the ladder.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14There are many people who are very ambitious, but just for themselves.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16He's clearly ambitious not just for himself,
0:32:16 > 0:32:18but to help other people in a similar position,
0:32:18 > 0:32:20which I think is extremely important.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22It's clear that Peter has been deeply impressed
0:32:22 > 0:32:26by Kwasi's determination and political commitment,
0:32:26 > 0:32:29but before he can make up his mind how he might be able to help him,
0:32:29 > 0:32:31he's going to discuss this life-changing decision
0:32:31 > 0:32:33with two old friends.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35Peter and his seven-year-old son Emmanuel
0:32:35 > 0:32:36are sitting down for a chat with
0:32:36 > 0:32:40fellow barrister Joy and her husband Michael.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43Over the last week or so I've been telling a bit
0:32:43 > 0:32:46about my personal history and story.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50I came across a young man who has a similar background in terms
0:32:50 > 0:32:53of being through some hard times when he was young,
0:32:53 > 0:32:57but he's also somebody in need probably of a bit of inspiration
0:32:57 > 0:32:59and encouragement and self-confidence
0:32:59 > 0:33:01to achieve everything he can do,
0:33:01 > 0:33:05and I'm thinking of the possible way I could help him.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07So I just wanted to basically discuss it with you
0:33:07 > 0:33:09and get your ideas,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12whether you think that will be a good idea.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15Michael, what do you feel? You've known me a long time.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18It's not easy for young black students
0:33:18 > 0:33:21to try and achieve anything.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25You face many difficulties, like you've told me in the past.
0:33:25 > 0:33:30But you have an OBE, you've arrived. I'd put it that you've arrived.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33My first impression is it's a fantastic idea,
0:33:33 > 0:33:38given your journey through the system and the establishment,
0:33:38 > 0:33:42I think you have a lot to offer as a mentor for such a young man.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45When Peter was a trainee barrister, he was fortunate enough to be
0:33:45 > 0:33:50surrounded by fellow students who inspired and motivated him.
0:33:50 > 0:33:55His story resonated with me because of the racism we faced at the bar,
0:33:55 > 0:33:57finding it hard to get some support,
0:33:57 > 0:34:00so we effectively supported each other.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04When we started, there were very few senior people,
0:34:04 > 0:34:08or people who were in a position to actually help
0:34:08 > 0:34:12and encourage us to progress in the career.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15So I think that's one of the things that,
0:34:15 > 0:34:18if I can give back in that respect, would be very, very helpful,
0:34:18 > 0:34:22whether a mentorship or financial,
0:34:22 > 0:34:26I'll try and do it. And hopefully he will achieve what he wants to,
0:34:26 > 0:34:27and actually, the other thing is,
0:34:27 > 0:34:30he said that he wanted to help other young people in the same position
0:34:30 > 0:34:32as him who are less fortunate,
0:34:32 > 0:34:35which I think is brilliant, because, as we know,
0:34:35 > 0:34:38the place is littered with members of our community
0:34:38 > 0:34:40who do, but just do for themselves,
0:34:40 > 0:34:44and then once they've got where they are going, that's it.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46So I think it's very good to have somebody who's actually committed
0:34:46 > 0:34:47to giving back themselves.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52Having Joy and Michael's support is crucial for Peter.
0:34:52 > 0:34:53His journey into the past
0:34:53 > 0:34:55has clearly revived memories of how challenging
0:34:55 > 0:34:58life can be for a young black man in Britain.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01Peter has gone back - now he needs to look to the future.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04It's time for him to decide what impact
0:35:04 > 0:35:05he can make on Kwasi's life today.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20So it's exactly a week since I saw Peter up in Northumberland.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22Well, today, I'm in London,
0:35:22 > 0:35:26which is home at the moment to the inspirational young man Kwasi.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29Age and financial security separate them both,
0:35:29 > 0:35:31but otherwise they are kindred spirits
0:35:31 > 0:35:35with very similar life stories and very similar ambitions.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39Peter, of course, has the means to help Kwasi fulfil his potential.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43Let's go and find out if he's ready to change someone's life.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46Kwasi is enjoying a kickabout with his mates in the local park.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49In a restaurant just around the corner, Peter is waiting for me.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53It's time to find out what he's decided to do.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56- Hey, Peter. How are you? - Hi, Aled, how are you?
0:35:56 > 0:35:58- Good to see you. - Really good to see you.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00So, how's it going?
0:36:00 > 0:36:04- Yeah, good.- You've met Kwasi. - I have, yes. Yes.
0:36:04 > 0:36:10Really interesting young man, very motivated, and, eh, yeah,
0:36:10 > 0:36:13he shared some of his experiences with me,
0:36:13 > 0:36:16and he's obviously somebody who's been through a lot.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18He's quite ambitious, as well, isn't he?
0:36:18 > 0:36:20I think the thing that really impressed me is,
0:36:20 > 0:36:23despite the adversity and the struggle to achieve,
0:36:23 > 0:36:26he hasn't been put off. He's been in foster care,
0:36:26 > 0:36:29been in a children's home for many years,
0:36:29 > 0:36:32and despite all of that and having his own personal battles,
0:36:32 > 0:36:33- has come through...- Yeah.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37..and achieved what is, in a sense, exceptional in such circumstances.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40It reminds me of somebody that's sitting right in front of me now.
0:36:40 > 0:36:41I don't know who that could be!
0:36:41 > 0:36:43Have you decided that you're going to help him, then?
0:36:43 > 0:36:45Yes, yes. Yes, I have.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47He's achieved it, it will be his own achievement,
0:36:47 > 0:36:50but if I can help in any small way then that would be fantastic.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54'Peter's career as a high-profile barrister and part-time judge
0:36:54 > 0:36:57'means he's been able to come up with a gift
0:36:57 > 0:36:59'that should make a massive difference to Kwasi.'
0:37:01 > 0:37:03So in what way are you going to help him?
0:37:03 > 0:37:05Well, there are three ways. Firstly, practically,
0:37:05 > 0:37:07is to give him a donation of £1,000,
0:37:07 > 0:37:09which should help fund the internship
0:37:09 > 0:37:12- that he wants to complete.- OK.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15'Peter's donation means that Kwasi can now afford to undertake
0:37:15 > 0:37:18'the placement that he so desperately wants to do,
0:37:18 > 0:37:20'and Peter has even arranged that, too.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24'Kwasi will spend several days at Race For Justice -
0:37:24 > 0:37:27'an organisation which works towards racial equality.'
0:37:28 > 0:37:31Secondly, to give him a book which inspired me,
0:37:31 > 0:37:34which is called Staying Power: The History Of Black People In Britain,
0:37:34 > 0:37:37which is actually 1,000 pages of our history here.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41- OK.- I think that would make a huge difference to his self-confidence
0:37:41 > 0:37:46and motivation. And the third thing is to offer a mentorship,
0:37:46 > 0:37:49and that means he can spend time with me whenever he wants.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51I sit as a part-time judge,
0:37:51 > 0:37:53he can come to court with me and sit on the bench with me.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56- Right.- And basically see the justice system from that side.- Wow.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Because he's obviously got an interest in criminal justice issues
0:37:59 > 0:38:02- and equality and diversity. - How fantastic.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Wow, I can't wait to see his face.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07I can imagine how that's going to set him up for life, really.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09It's a start. I mean, at the end of the day,
0:38:09 > 0:38:11this will be his achievements
0:38:11 > 0:38:14and I think that's just to emphasise that all you do
0:38:14 > 0:38:17- is provide a little help, actually. - Yes, it's an arm on the shoulder.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19It is, that's all,
0:38:19 > 0:38:22and I think that's essential for many people in our community
0:38:22 > 0:38:24- as they don't have that.- No.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26And therefore, if it makes a difference in some small way
0:38:26 > 0:38:29and other people can watch him and his achievements,
0:38:29 > 0:38:31I guarantee he's somebody who will do the same.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33- OK.- And that's what's important.
0:38:33 > 0:38:38'Peter has put down on paper exactly what he wants to tell Kwasi.'
0:38:38 > 0:38:40I've written a letter - can't answer for the handwriting,
0:38:40 > 0:38:42- but I've written it. - OK, well, I suppose there's no time
0:38:42 > 0:38:45like the present. He has no idea that we're going to do this,
0:38:45 > 0:38:48of course, so shall we go and give him a nice surprise?
0:38:48 > 0:38:49Yeah, absolutely.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55The combination of work experience, financial support and mentorship
0:38:55 > 0:38:58that Peter is offering could be a life-changer for Kwasi.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01He doesn't have a clue what's about to happen.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03Just how will he react?
0:39:03 > 0:39:07I can just see that Kwasi is playing football with his friends.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10- He has no idea we're coming. How do you feel?- Excited.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13No, it'll be nice to watch his reaction.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16I think he's somebody who's got that potential
0:39:16 > 0:39:18and will make the most of his opportunities.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20I think also he's somebody who is very committed
0:39:20 > 0:39:22to helping other young people, as well.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24- He is, yeah.- When he gets to where he wants to be,
0:39:24 > 0:39:26which I think is very important.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29Hi, Kwasi. Sorry to interrupt your game.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32- I'm Aled Jones from the BBC. - Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Now, you thought we were doing a documentary
0:39:35 > 0:39:37- about this fellow's life, didn't you?- Yeah.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39It's not the whole story, is it?
0:39:39 > 0:39:41No, not quite, not quite.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43No. It was a pleasure to meet you
0:39:43 > 0:39:45and I think you have an inspirational story.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49It connected a lot with me and my experiences as a young person,
0:39:49 > 0:39:51so I wanted to be able to reach out
0:39:51 > 0:39:53and help you to achieve what you want to achieve,
0:39:53 > 0:39:57so I want you to just read this letter I wrote you, quickly,
0:39:57 > 0:40:00- and see what you think. - Will you read it out loud?
0:40:00 > 0:40:02- Yeah, I'm a bit out of breath. - You are, aren't you?
0:40:02 > 0:40:06"Dear Kwasi, I was really impressed with your personal achievements.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10"I was moved to see how you have made sure you have overcome
0:40:10 > 0:40:12"your experiences in the care system.
0:40:12 > 0:40:13"Yours is a powerful story.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16"It was very heartening to see a conscious young black man
0:40:16 > 0:40:20"who wants to get involved in politics and help change
0:40:20 > 0:40:22"the lives and destinies of our people.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26"I want to provide you with a sponsorship of £1,000
0:40:26 > 0:40:30"to help fund an internship with our Race For Justice programme.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32"I will also provide you with a black history book
0:40:32 > 0:40:34"of our struggles in the UK.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36"It will be my privilege to mentor you
0:40:36 > 0:40:38"as you progress in your chosen career.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40"Yours in the struggle, Peter."
0:40:40 > 0:40:42Oh, wow. Thank you.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44- Pleasure.- Thank you.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46- All right. - How do you feel about that?
0:40:46 > 0:40:48Yeah, awesome, it's a bit of a surprise,
0:40:48 > 0:40:50but, yeah, I'm very happy, actually.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53It sounds to me like it's going to make a huge difference to your life.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55Yeah, it really is. I wasn't expecting this,
0:40:55 > 0:40:59I'm a bit lost for words. But it does mean a lot to me.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01You know you've got that story to tell
0:41:01 > 0:41:03and you've got that strength within yourself
0:41:03 > 0:41:05to make a real difference.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07You know, one of the things you said is that you were going to
0:41:07 > 0:41:09give back to other people. I was very, very impressed,
0:41:09 > 0:41:13I wanted to give that help to you, as well, so it's my pleasure.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16I do really appreciate it and this will go a long way
0:41:16 > 0:41:18to helping me reach my goals later on in life, so...
0:41:18 > 0:41:20I'm really pleased it's worked out for you.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23I've heard such brilliant things about you, and well done.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25Really great to see you, as well.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27- Pleasure.- And enjoy the football, boys.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29All the best, see you later. Take care.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31'This is the end of an emotional
0:41:31 > 0:41:33'and very personal journey for Peter.'
0:41:34 > 0:41:37Well, I saw something of myself in him.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41I mean, you have to have that passion for changing society
0:41:41 > 0:41:45and commitment to justice and equality, diversity,
0:41:45 > 0:41:47and also a belief that you can do that,
0:41:47 > 0:41:49and that is something that is not found
0:41:49 > 0:41:52in everybody, but it was certainly in him.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55It's what you've been working on for a long time.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57A lot of time people just need that one chance,
0:41:57 > 0:41:59people need someone to believe in them or support them.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02I was surprised, but he does deserve it a lot,
0:42:02 > 0:42:05like, all he's been through. He's worked, like, really hard.
0:42:05 > 0:42:06A lot of people could have just given up.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09He will think of others more than himself,
0:42:09 > 0:42:12but, like, this money will help him,
0:42:12 > 0:42:15instead of him helping others.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18Having met someone like Peter is actually, I guess, life-changing,
0:42:18 > 0:42:19because we've had the same experiences
0:42:19 > 0:42:21and he can give me real insight and real depth
0:42:21 > 0:42:25and advice on how to move on and how to better myself.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27Yeah, I'm really excited to start.
0:42:27 > 0:42:28I want to start tomorrow.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30In terms of this young man, he was something,
0:42:30 > 0:42:34somebody who will definitely achieve great things in the future,
0:42:34 > 0:42:37and he already has achieved great things to get where he is.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46I'm so pleased that two such courageous
0:42:46 > 0:42:48and inspirational men have met,
0:42:48 > 0:42:52and how great that Peter was willing to give back and help Kwasi.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55I think he sees such promise in him, such potential.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58And Kwasi now, thanks to Peter's generosity of spirit,
0:42:58 > 0:43:00can really look towards a brighter future.