Hope for Youth Northern Ireland holds local fundraiser at Armagh County Club
Last month Hope for Youth Northern Ireland invited supporters of the charity to the Armagh County Club to update them on the recent grants awarded and getting the charity’s name much better known in the county.
They all enjoyed the evening and the Chairman, Noel Lamb, gave an overview of past projects the charity had supported over the last few years and future fundraising events for the upcoming year. Nearly £2,000 was raised during the evening and a big thank you goes to Mrs Vanne Campbell, a trustee of Hope for Youth for organising the event.
The Chairman and Trustees would like to thank the local the local businesses who helped with the refreshments for the evening; McEnerneys and Emersons supermarkets, Anthony Jackson, McIvors Cider Company and the Armagh County Club
Fundraising at Finnebrogue House
We took advantage of fine June weather to invite 200 of our friends and supporters to Finnebrogue for a fundraising Beating Retreat. The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Dragoon Guards and the Band of the Royal Irish Regiment played a selection of music, both military and classical pieces. We had a wide range of guests in the audience including the Lord Lieutenants for County Down and Belfast, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Reverend Richard Clarke and his predecessor, the Right Reverend Alan Harper, members of the police and the local community. The programme for the evening included the band playing Scipio by Handel, the Soldiers Chorus from Faust, the Army of the Nile and various cavalry marches. The Pipes and Drums played the Rowan Tree and the Green Hills of Tyrol and the Gael.
A huge thank you again to all our supporters for their most generous donations.
HOPE FOR YOUTH HELPS TO TURN THE TIDE FOR WATER SAFETY THROUGH SUPPORT OF THE RIPPLE EFFECT PROGRAMME
We are delighted to support a unique water safety initiative currently underway in Northern Ireland which is aimed at raising awareness of safety in water throughout local communities. The hands-on training scheme, called The Ripple Effect, focuses on promoting water safety and drowning prevention and will equip local children with the knowledge and essential swimming skills needed to minimise dangerous incidents.
Spearheaded by the City of Belfast Swimming Cluband supported by Hope For Youth, The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), and Speedo®, The Ripple Effect has been launched in support of the UK drowning prevention strategy, which aims to reduce drowning fatalities in the UK by 50% by 2026. The initiative will see a roll-out of swimming education outreach and applied survival and life-saving lessons across schools in Belfast initially and subsequently throughout Northern Ireland.
John Crichton, the 7th Earl of Erne and Hope for Youth trustee said: “Water safety is a basic human right that shouldn’t be reserved for families who can afford the privilege of extra-curricular swimming lessons. Every child is entitled to know how to swim on leisurely and security levels. Hope for Youth is delighted to be supporting this new initiative and look forward to celebrating its accomplishments at our next Hope For Youth gala swim in London next November.”
Kenny MacDermid, National Drowning Prevention Coordinator, RLSS UK, the Drowning Prevention Charity said “RLSS UK is committed to a year on year reduction in drownings across the UK and Ireland and are delighted to be supporting this project. 400 people accidentally drown each year across the UK and statistics show that young males are most at risk. This excellent initiative equips the young people of Belfast with the key skills they need to make well informed choices regarding their own personal safety in and around the water. At RLSS UK we are privileged to work with many families affected by drowning and see firsthand how devastating this can be not just to the family but the wider community and we are committed to putting a stop to these needless deaths.”
The Ripple Effect is being implemented in three key stages; the initial stage involves primary school children participating in classroom and pool lessons led by coaches with RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) which include water safety presentations, practical floating techniques and life-saving activities. Stage two involves RLSS UK’s Rookie Lifeguard award within the City of Belfast Swimming Club to transform enrolled children into mini lifeguards by teaching them valuable survival, rescue and sports skills that will enable them to enjoy water safely. The final phase of the year-long programme is an end of season cross-community event that will celebrate and award each child’s achievement.
Tanya Martin, Chair, City of Belfast Swimming Club said: “Tragically too many young people are lost to the water each year due to insufficient survival skills or lack of swimming confidence. We hope The Ripple Effect will make waves about the dangers of water, both in a pool setting and in natural water outlets, and provide children with the vital skills to survive in water when adverse conditions strike.”
The Ripple Effect is being piloted with Elmgrove Primary School in East Belfast and includes classroom and poolside lessons taking place at council-owned Avoniel Leisure Centre. Designed to empower the children and remove barriers to water safety including socio-economic burdens, the initiative is supported by Hope for Youth NI which endeavours to provide funding for young people in Northern Ireland to partake in cross community activities irrespective of their backgrounds.
Commenting on the initiative, Hannah English, teacher at Elmgrove Primary School said: “Elmgrove is thrilled to be the first school in Northern Ireland to trial The Ripple Effect. After taking part in the programme’s initial classroom and poolside lessons, we have had great feedback from the pupils regarding their understanding of the coach’s key messages and have noticed a surge in their confidence in the swimming pool. The Ripple Effect has particular importance for our pupils because of the current regeneration work being carried out in Avoniel Park, which is making the Connswater River more visible. A number of pupils that walk to school walk past the river on their way to school so it is great that they are being given first-hand knowledge about water safety and lifesaving skills which is giving them the important tools to show responsibility around water.”
THIS IS BLOODY TOUGH
Ok, so I haven't posted much on here over the last few weeks. I've been finding this so incredibly tough. Constant injuries over the last four months have been slowing my progress down. Christmas was a right-off with no training for 2 weeks due to an ankle injury. January saw me getting back on track for three weeks of solid training before flu kicked in and another calf problem. Age is catching up with me! I hear ya!
However the good news is I will not let this beat me. I'm back on track with a ten mile run planned this weekend. I'm looking at competing in the Carlingford Half Marathon on March 4th which will be good to get confidence up.
Big thanks to the amazing Gill Johnston, my mentor and training buddy. She's putting in the miles with me without any Marathon place to show for it.
I'm going to be hammering social media over the next three months as we aim to raise £2000 for Hope For Youth NI so beware! I'm running this year's London Marathon to help bring Protestant and Catholic children together in Northern Ireland.
Please support me and thanks for reading. PLEASE DONATE HERE
Nigel
FLEET FINANCIAL PUTS CHARITY DRIVE INTO FIRST GEAR
Fleet Financial marks 20-year business milestone by raising thousands for Hope for Youth NI
Northern Ireland’s leading contract hire and vehicle management provider Fleet Financial has donated £31,000 to Hope for Youth NI as part of a major fundraising initiative.
The substantial sum raised was part of a range of initiatives launched by Fleet Financial in 2016 to celebrate two decades of business growth and success.
The funds raised will now be used to drive a range of new cross-community projects in disadvantaged areas which are focused on young people and are designed to foster teamwork, creativity and friendship-building across Northern Ireland.
Philip Miley, Sales and Marketing Director, Fleet Financial, said;
“Hope for Youth is making a real difference to communities in Northern Ireland, creating new and ground-breaking opportunities for our young people to be creative and to work as a team to focus on goals which they can share.
“With the support of our colleagues, partners, customers and friends, we are thrilled that we can donate such a significant amount of money to a charity which is delivering such valuable and meaningful work at grassroots level across a range of targeted projects.”
During the last 20 years, Hope for Youth has raised over £1m to support cross-community projects for young people aged 11-18 in Northern Ireland regardless of their background.
The projects are focused on developing teamwork, creativity and personal life skills, especially within the arts, music and the great outdoors.
Noel Lamb, Chair of the charity’s Board of Trustees, said;
“This is a hugely generous donation from Fleet Financial, which will enable and drive projects that will change and shape lives.
“Our projects provide unique opportunities for groups of young people from a range of backgrounds to get together with a shared goal, to collaborate and to enjoy working together in a fun and creative environment.
“Thanks to the support of Fleet Financial, we can embrace this diversity and in doing so create an enhanced Northern Ireland today and long into the future.”
Launched in February 1996, Fleet Financial has played a leading role in supporting businesses across the UK and Ireland and is officially Northern Ireland’s Best Fleet Provider following consecutive award wins at the Business Eye Fleet Awards for two consecutive years.
About Fleet Financial:
Launched in February 1996, the fast-growing company has played a leading role in supporting businesses across the UK and Ireland. Specialising in contract hire and vehicle management to businesses and organisations, Fleet Financial has offices in Newtownabbey and Manchester and is part of Northern Ireland’s largest car retailer, Charles Hurst Group. Transacting business with over 1,000 companies ranging from sole traders, SMEs and some of Northern Ireland’s leading companies, it currently manages a fleet of more than 4,000 vehicles.
For more information, visit www.fleetfinancial.co.uk.
The Waterloo Dinner
One of the major planks to our fund raising is holding events for our supporters in both Northern Ireland and Great Britain. On June 25th we sat down 120 for dinner at Finnebrogue House. The catering was done by Simon Dougan of Yellow Door and the wines were kindly sponsored by Duncan Spence through his Rickety Bridge estate in Cape Province, South Africa. Both are long standing supports of the charity. The weather was kind and our guests had drinks at the front of the house before going in to the wonderful fare served up by Simon and his team. Our main course was guinea fowl, cooked to perfection, no mean feat for 120. We sat in the saloon, entrance hall and dining room.
Anumber of our guests came from England. Three tables from County Antrim took advantage of hiring a bus for the evening. The dinner was within a week of the anniversary of Waterloo, so we took advantage of the date to encourage serving members of the forces to wear uniform, giving further colour to the evening. Guests were greeted by a bugler and piper, with roving musicians adding to the atmosphere.
A silent auction on the evening raised well in excess of £10,000 which represents a meaningful sum in our grants programme.
Take 10 - An insight into our Chairman, Noel Lamb
As Chairman of Hope for Youth NI, Noel Lamb knows the benefits of hard work, team work and commitment. Qualities that Noel has seen championed by Fleet Financial, Northern Ireland’s leading vehicle contract hire provider, and its continued support of the charity. Dividing his time between Northern Ireland and his work as an investment manager in London, Noel gives us an insight into what makes him tick.
1. What's your earliest memory?
Probably my most vivid memory from childhood was going with my parents to see Mickey Mouse at the iconic Majestic Cinema in Portrush. Up until the age of five I lived in the town with my family and my lasting memories revolve around seagulls, lots of seagulls, and being in my father’s boat as we went fishing around the Skerries. The lasting effect has been a love of the North Antrim coast that has stayed with me ever since.
2. Who are the most important people in your life?
My friends.
3. Shock us! Tell us something very surprising about yourself...
Most of my friends think I can’t boil an egg, an impression I encourage! In fact I rather enjoy cooking. There’s something rather special about cooking dinner for a small number.
4. What's your greatest fear?
Apart from snakes? Extremism and intolerance. They bring nothing but misery. Respect for others with differing points of view is so important. In Hope for Youth we seek to build bridges, to break down barriers and provide, by small steps, a better future for the young in Northern Ireland.
5. What makes you most happy?
Taking anything to a successful conclusion. It can be finishing a project, creating something, playing sport or simply turning the last page in an enjoyable book. I am not a very tidy skier, so getting to the bottom of a black run without any mishaps is always a bonus. From a work perspective, I was lucky enough to build a team in an investment management company in London and it is incredibly satisfying to see a business grow with a small group of people pulling in the same direction, and many remain friends to this day.
6. And your biggest regret?
You should never have regrets in life. Hindsight is a great thing, but we should learn from the past and look forwards.
7. How do you chill out?
Travel, and also sport or exercise. All are great for taking your mind off the ups and downs of a working day. My working days are generally spent at the office in London but when I am able to get back to Northern Ireland, I am lucky enough to call Finnebrogue House home. Ulster’s oldest undefended house, I have spent the last six years refurbishing it and I look forward to welcoming 150 Hope for Youth supporters in June for The Waterloo Dinner, another major fundraising event for the organisation.
8. What's the most important lesson you've learned in life?
Think of others. When making decisions think of the outcomes for other people rather than a company or yourself. Hope for Youth is my principal charity, one which I am very proud to be part of, and in the three years I have been involved it is uplifting and humbling to see, first hand, the genuine impact that the life changing work of this cross community project has on the ground.
9. The book and film that means the most to you – and why?
Graham Greens is my favourite 20th century author. He has such a good eye for the human condition, and finding humour in unlikely situations. So it would have to be the Quiet American, or perhaps Our Man in Havana. For my favourite film, David Lean would be my top director. Let’s go for Dr. Zhivago, a wonderful range of characters trying to find their way against the sweep of history.
10. If you could change one thing....what would it be?
To be a better time keeper
Courtesy of the Belfast Telegraph
2016 Grants Awarded
This year in 2016 we have just awarded grants to 7 Youth Projects: Enagh Youth Forum, 174 Trust, Life Changes Lives, Dundonald Sea Cadets, REACH Across, Dreamscheme NI and Safety Near Water.
In 2015 Hope for Youth funded 10 youth projects across Northern Ireland. We had seen an astonishing increased in applications from some 111 different youth projects and organisations, all desperately seeking financial and grant assistance to help them make a difference. The Awards Ceremony took place at Hillsborough Castle in the presence of the Chief Patron, HRH The Duchess of Gloucester. Grant awards were presented to: Northend United FC, Craigavon Intercultural Programme, Cairn Lodge Amateur Boxing, Carrowshee Park, Creggan Country Park, Speedwell Trust, Crossover Basketball, Gasyard, Dungannon Youth Centre & Sixmilecross.
Swim Ulster Team Battles It Out
Swim Ulster team battles it out with London rivals at The Speedo Charity Swim to raise over £80,000 for Hope For Youth NI
Eight Northern Ireland teenagers competed against London rivals at the biennial House of Lords versus House of Commons Speedo Charity Swim on 27th November 2013.
The Ulster youths were joined by teams from both Houses of Parliament and guest swimmers, including Olympian Mark Foster, for the biennial fundraising event in aid of local charity, Hope for Youth NI.
Young people from Swim Ulster and Chelsea and Westminster Swim Club were first to take to the water at Porchester Hall in a relay event, with the latter taking the lead to win the Speedo Cup.
The competition between the parliamentarians was fierce, with six MPs and six Lords including Tobias Ellwood MP for Bournemouth East (Conservative), Ian Paisley Jnr MP for Antrim (DUP) and The Lord St John of Bletso donning their speedos to compete for the charity.
The House of Lords won the event for the first time in 14 years, with The Lord Paddick (Liberal Democrats) named fastest parliamentarian and awarded the Wilkinson Sword for his achievement.
This unique event, which is in its 26th year, also saw former swimming champions Duncan Goodhew and James Hickman compete alongside Mark Foster and swimmers from local law firm Arthur Cox, in a showcase relay.
Chairman of the Swim Committee, Viscount John Crichton said: “We host this event every two years to raise funds to create new initiatives that will bring young people together in disadvantaged communities across Northern Ireland, through sport, music and the arts.
“The swim and subsequent gala dinner was attended by over 400 guests including Irish and British celebrities from stage, screen and sport, members of both Houses of Parliament and the Trusts’ Patrons including HRH The Duchess of Gloucester GCVO and TV favourites Gloria Hunniford and of course Joanna Lumley OBE who kindly agreed to be our official race starter.
Speedo’s President, David Robinson said: “Speedo is passionate about inspiring people to swim, and the House of Lords vs. House of Commons Speedo Charity Swim brings the excitement of swimming to life in a unique way, while at the same time raising vital funds for a fantastic cause.”
Ion Montgomery, Chairman of Hope for Youth said: “In 2011 we raised £80,000 from ticket sales, donations and an auction and the early indications are that we have managed to exceed that total this year. I’d like to sincerely thank everyone who took part for their generosity of spirit.”
Press Information
> Swim Ulster Team Battles It Out - Press Release