On Thursday last week I spent the most wonderful day in Merseyside with the North West Team 2012. The day was entirely focused on sport. I was able to help at the Merseyside Primary School Games where the different districts of Merseyside competed amongst each other in friendly competition at the amazing facilities at Wavertree Sports Park.

I met hopeful, current and former Team GB athletes who were also lending their time and energy to making the day a success for the young people of Merseyside.

The 1,500 London 2012 pledges that were made by each child were insightful and telling. They mainly revolved around getting fitter and working hard to represent their school or club at a particular sport. One pledge stood out as being hugely imaginative and resourceful - they'd written 'By 2012 I would like to be a mascot for the 2012 Games'. I loved they way they'd thought outside the box about how they might get to be part of the action.

That's the thing about visiting an area where the people have sport deep in their DNA. It is exhilarating. And the spirit and atmosphere at the event brought it home as we approach the '3 year to go mark': the 2012 Games will enable these youngsters to continue to compete, but with an Olympic and Paralympic focus to their work like never before.

The afternoon saw a visit to Halewood Learning Centre - a brand new learning and sports resource for the Knowsley community that had only been open a few days. I felt immensely privileged to receive a sneak preview of the fantastic work they will be running there.

Then it was off to Parr Community Fire Station, St Helen's, to see the sports facilities that Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services (MFRS) are opening up to the public. MFRS is trailblazing in that they are establishing community sport links like no other fire service I am aware of. Where their 'streetcage' programme runs they have seen a drop in anti-social behaviour by the order of 34%. I was able to see the programme in action and learn about what their sister station at Croxeth will be putting on for the London 2012 Open Weekend.