Stand-up comedian Tom Davis says he knows pain of unemployment - as he backs our appeal

"Like a lot of young people, I didn't have a great time at school, said Tom, now 46. I had undiagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, I was dyslexic, and in those days, if you weren't academic, you were made to feel stupid. I I left school with no GCSEs and a very low opinion of myself. Tom started working on building sites in his teens."

"It's harder for young people now, he added. Fewer job vacancies, the pressure of social media. Back in my day, if you left school with nothing, you could still find work I became a scaffolder and any life failures were not broadcast on social media for all your peers to see. Destination Unknown in a nutshell With one in six young Londoners unemployed, the Standard has joined forces with The King's Trust to support unemployed young people into work or business."

"So far, 700,000 has been raised, with 450,000 going to King's Trust programmes in London and 250,000 to four grassroots youth charities across the capital. We are calling on corporations, foundations, philanthropists and our readers to donate. All funds raised will go to King's Trust programmes in London He dreamed of becoming a stand-up comedian but lacked the confidence to take the plunge."

Tom Davis moved from scaffolder to actor and comedian after leaving school with no GCSEs and undiagnosed ADHD and dyslexia, which undermined his confidence. He experienced repeated unemployment and low-paid work such as kitchen porter during recessions, and he notes younger people now face fewer vacancies and amplified pressure from social media. An estimated 80,000 Londoners aged 16-24 are currently unemployed. The King's Trust Destination Unknown campaign has raised £700,000, allocating £450,000 to King's Trust London programmes and £250,000 to four grassroots youth charities. The campaign calls on corporations, foundations, philanthropists and readers to donate.

Read at www.standard.co.uk