Gym’s fundraiser cheque presented to Fermanagh Trust

Ultimate Health and Fitness, personal training based in Irvinestown, have raised a grand total of £3869.32 for the Fermanagh Trust’s young grant makers. 40 of the gym’s ladies completed their target of running / walking / rowing 100 miles each in 28 days.

Funds raised will used by Fermanagh Trust’s ‘Grant To Give Back’ to support projects aimed at improving Children’s Mental Health.

 

Lauri McCusker, Director of the Fermanagh Trust added “Congratulations to the Ultimate Health and Fitness team. Thanks to them and everyone who has donated. For our young grant makers, forming ‘Grant To Give Back’ has been a rewarding experience and a channel for them to learn new skills and make a difference in their community. This fundraiser has been such a wonderful addition to the process. The young grant makers are thrilled with the backing and support from this local group and they’re now excited to make their grant awards.”

Patrick Doherty, Head Coach at Ultimate Health and Fitness said “With the onset of lockdown 2020 we designed a 28 day programme specifically for women to lose weight, boost energy and confidence plus maintain that community feel with other likeminded women. As part of the programme we like to set challenges to boost motivation and the ladies decided that they wanted to help children & young people’s mental health in the local area. With a large number of the clients having children and with us all living in unprecedented times, we thought it was a hugely worthwhile area to support.”

“For 28 days, we decided to run / walk or row 100miles and raise funds which will be utilised locally via the Fermanagh Trust. I am extremely thankful to everyone who has donated and to the incredible women on our programme who have been a shining light of positivity and energy to their families & communities during this pandemic. Nothing has phased them and we look forward to future challenges and growing this superb platform.”

Commencing in October 2020, Fermanagh Trust has been mentoring a team of apprentices aged 16-25 with a focus on developing a new generation of community leaders and active citizens. In order to assist these individuals develop their skills and knowledge, the young apprentices designed, developed and delivered their very own ‘Grant to Give Back’ Fund. The process involved agreeing key priorities for investment, negotiating eligibility criteria, designing the branding and application process and ultimately deciding which local groups and projects should get funded.

 

(Back L-R) Sonya Johnston Fermanagh Trust, Patrick O'Doherty, Emma Corrigan. (Front L-R) Orla Greene and Morgan McGrath

 

At weekly Zoom meetings the young apprentices have worked with others to gain the knowledge and tools required for identifying issues or concerns in their community, researching, negotiating priorities and working as a team to make a positive and meaningful contribution. They are hoping to award funding to projects which focus on their key priority areas, which include young people’s mental health. Who better to fund the needs for young people, than young people themselves.

A number of local organisations and projects have applied. The young apprentices have recently carried out interviews with applicants they will be making their decisions and grant awards soon.