Viscount Gough - April 2023
It is with great regret that we announce the death of Viscount Gough, our longest serving trustee. Shane has been a steadfast supporter for Hope for Youth (NI) for several decades . Although he lived in Scotland, Irish ancestry and an affinity for all matters Irish were very much part of his makeup. Born in 1941, his education at Winchester was followed by Sandhurst and a commission in the Irish Guards.. Six years later he went into Stockbroking and the running of his Scottish Estate. He was a generous and well-liked man with an infectious smile and an idiosyncratic sense of humour. He died peacefully in Scotland on 14 April 2023 aged 81. He will be much missed.
The Swim!
We were delighted to be able to celebrate Hope for Youth’s 50th Birthday Party on 24 November 2022 at the Porchester Hall in London in the presence of our Chief Patron, HRH, The Duchess of Gloucester.
Supported by Speedo, our lead partner, celebrities, world-class swimmers, representatives from the House of Lords and the House of Commons made a splash at London’s Porchester Hall, cheered on by over 350 guests, to raise critical funds for Hope for Youth.
To celebrate the friendly rivalry in the pool, guests later attended a gala dinner and charity auction to continue to raise valuable funds for Hope For Youth. Photos of the amazing night are below:
THE LOUGH ERNE LANDSCAPE PARTNERSHIP RECEIVES GRANT FROM HOPE FOR YOUTH NI
On Monday 20th June a cheque was presented by Hope for Youth NI to the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership. The Lough Erne Landscape Partnership was set up in 2015 with the key focus on conserving and promoting Lough Erne’s landscape character and the unique natural, built and cultural heritage of the communities that live around the lough. This grant is to help fund three weeklong natural heritage training schemes for 13-15year olds during the summer holidays. They will be recruited from the rural communities of Fermanagh. 36 participants will have the opportunity to complete the John Muir Award (not currently offered within the County) by carrying out a range of biodiversity activities, to engage them with their natural heritage, connect them to the landscape and show them how they can be part of sustainable future conservation of the region. The John Muir Award encourages people of all backgrounds to connect with, enjoy and care for wild places.
Lough Erne Landscape Partnership Programme Manager, Elmarie Swanepoel stated, ‘The Lough Erne Landscape Partnership are delighted to receive this funding from Hope for Youth, and look forward to engaging young people with the unique landscape of Lough Erne. This project will provide young people with the opportunity to gain access to Lough Erne learning about the habitats and biodiversity that surrounds them whilst gaining new skills and confidence.’
Each year Hope for Youth NI funds a number of projects across Northern Ireland. The charity believes that community-based projects promote inclusion and support diversity. They provide funding to support art, drama, music and sports projects that allow opportunities for young people to work together, learn new skills, build friendships and develop their confidence and creativity. Their aim is to give young people a better future. This year the charity celebrates its 50th birthday having been founded in 1972 by Lady Patsie Fisher, grandmother of Bear Grylls. The charity’s biggest fundraiser is the Biennial Speedo Charity Swim and Gala Dinner which is taking place at the Portland Hall in London on Thursday 24th November. Anyone who would like more information about grant applications, or the November Gala Evening in London can find details on the charity’s website www.hopeforyouthni.com.
A SPECIAL VISIT FROM OUR CHIEF PATRON
We were absolutely delighted that our chief patron HRH The Duchess of Gloucester recently paid a visit to Finnebrogue House, Co. Down the home of our chairman Noel Lamb. Mr Lamb introduced the Duchess to two of our trustees, Dr Miriam McCarthy and Mrs Fiona Plunket and to members from two projects recently awarded grants, the Creative Arts and Social Team based in Castlederg and the Rathcoole based community group Listening Ear. Mrs Rois Kelly-Lynch from C.A.S.T. explained how the grant was used for their Caring for Young Minds project which culminated in the production of a music video 'Mind your words, they can hurt' which two of the students then performed for the Duchess.
Mr Brian Kerr from Listening Ear told the Duchess how the group provides a programme called Empathic Listening aimed at encouraging non-judgemental communication and better listening skills among young people and that it is this element of their work that Hope for Youth has funded.
Before departing the Duchess planted a tree at the front of Finnebrogue House as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of H.M. the Queen's accession to the throne.
FUNDRAISING AT FINNEBROGUE
Have you ever wondered what the Queen has been up to during lockdown? Part of the answer comes in "That's what Zoom is for", a song by the Barbershop Quartet (Close Enough). Tom Eyre-Maunsell, Tom Rogers, Johnny Shipley and Edward Allen were all choral scholars at Oxford and have remained firm friends ever since. They recently sang at Finnebrogue in aid of Hope for Youth (NI) and raised considerable funds for the charity. The barbershop style is a four-part harmony without musical accompaniment or a cappella.
The socially distanced audience was entertained to the George Formby song, "When I'm cleaning Windows", "The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond" and "Lydia, the Tattooed Lady", one of Groucho Marx's signature tunes.
During the evening a cheque was presented to Listening Ear, a Rathcoole-based charity and one of this year's projects for 11-18 year olds supported by Hope for Youth. Noel Lamb, chairman of the charity and owner of Finnebrogue, spoke of the passion with which the project empowers young people and teaches them the value of non-judgemental listening to others.
A MESSAGE FROM NOEL LAMB, CHAIRMAN OF THE TRUSTEES
I would like to bring you up to date with our charity over the last year.
2020 has been a lost year for so many. We were looking forward to funding five projects across the province. In the end, only one, the Royal Enniskillen Boat Club, was able to proceed. Social distancing measures resulted in the cancellation of the other four, however we have been in contact with each and are pleased to report that three are likely to go ahead and will be funded this summer.
It is too difficult to predict the course of the next six months, so the trustees have taken the view that it is sensible to postpone the biennial swim until November 2022. Meanwhile we are working on ways to raise more funds here and now and will be posting news of forthcoming events on the website soon.
As the days get longer and the vaccination programme continues, a brighter summer lies ahead.
With very best wishes,
Noel Lamb.
Zoom Aerobathon!
Hope for Youth would like to thank all of those who participated in a two hour aerobathon to raise money to support the charity and the projects it supports. This event was organised by fitness instructor Belinda Maxted and her enthusiasm and energy led to a great event with over 20 people participating by zoom and raising over £1,200. A huge thanks to all, especially Belinda
GRANTS 2020 - THE ROYAL ENNISKILLEN BOAT CLUB
Very little was possible in 2020 as most of the projects which had been awarded grants were on hold, however we were delighted to be able to distantly present one grant in September to the Royal Enniskillen Boat Club. This was towards the purchase of much needed new blades for their young rowers. For over 30 years the club has been open to all young people of the area from all communities. They currently have 110 young rowers, a mix of boys and girls from all six of the post primary schools in the Enniskillen area. Recent years have seen an explosion of rowing activity and there is tremendous team spirit at the club, with older rowers mentoring the younger ones. Rowing encourages both physical and mental health and in these times of growing mental health issues this is vital.
OUR CHIEF PATRON MAKES A CALL
In her role as our Chief Patron, the Duchess of Gloucester recently expressed a keen wish to hear more of what life is like for young people In N. Ireland during the pandemic. Last week she held a meeting by telephone with Rois Kelly, project leader of the Creative Arts & Social Team in Castlederg, one of the 2019 grant recipients. The Duchess was very interested to hear all the extraordinary work Rois in doing in the community and very much hopes to meet Rois and those involved in the project during a visit to N. Ireland in the future.
We wish to thank the Duchess for her continued interest and support at this difficult time.
Further details about CAST and their project can be found in the News section.
