Putting suffering to good use-by one who knows

Apr 19 2005 By Helen Logan Evening Gazette

Days spent on Teesside have left an impression on former hostage Terry Waite.

More than 40 years ago, when he was a student, he worked at a hostel for the homeless and unemployed in Middlesbrough. He said his time in the area "left a lasting impression", adding: "Despite the poverty and difficulties, there was that marvellous spirit of togetherness so characteristic of this part of the world."

Mr Waite was the keynote speaker at the Tees Valley Business Awards, which are organised by the Evening Gazette and its sister paper The Journal in Newcastle.

Over the years he has maintained contact with Middlesbrough and friends there, he said.

While he did not have time to visit his old haunts in the town, he did manage to have a look round some of Teesside, including Yarm, on the afternoon of the black-tie dinner.

He said it "was amazing" how the area had developed in the intervening years.

You could have heard a pin drop as Mr Waite also described the events which led up to his capture while, as special envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury, he tried to negotiate the release of hostages in Beirut.

What he went through is almost unimaginable - four years of solitary confinement, being chained up more than 23 hours a day and being beaten on the soles of his feet with electric flexes.

But the inner strength which saw him through shone through his speech.

He even managed to joke about the frightening situations he found himself in, telling the audience - you have to "learn to accept difficulties and smile at them."

He also believes that good can emerge from suffering. He said: "Suffering need not destroy - it can be creative. If you can find the creative side it can be a mighty spur for progress."

He used himself as an example saying that his captivity had prompted him to give up a salaried position to become self-employed, offering help to humanitarian projects at home and abroad.

He really gave those of us attending the awards dinner some food for thought.