Fermanagh volunteers carrying out work overseas receive grant awards totalling £15,000 from the Fisher Foundation

At a special presentation event in Fermanagh House, 13 organisations and their volunteers were awarded grants from the Fisher Foundation. A total of £15,000 was given out to support local people and their organisations as they undertake vital work overseas.

 

 

This year’s recipients will be involved in a range of development programmes such as early years’ education, mental health programmes, rehabilitation programmes, teams of doctors and nurses volunteering, building and renovating schools and environmental conservation. Their endeavours will see them provide much needed support in a number of countries throughout the World including Kenya, Egypt, Zambia, Nicaragua, Malaysia, Uganda, South Africa, Romania, Croatia and USA.

The presentation event took place as part of Philanthropy Fortnight highlighting local philanthropy going global. The organisations and volunteers were commended by the Foundation and the Fermanagh Trust who administer the fund, for the commitment, dedication and the wide range of worthwhile, innovative projects which will all no doubt make a major contribution.

Organisations supported include the Northern Ireland team of Hernia International, made up of a number of doctors from County Fermanagh. They will be travelling to Kenya in September where the situation is severe, with more patients dying from hernia complications than from HIV. Normally, this surgery would have to be paid for by the patient, leaving this inaccessible to many. For this reason the group will provide everything necessary to perform the procedure, at no cost to the patient. They will bring their skills and experience as a team, with the Fisher Foundation contributing to the costs of their travel and equipment.

Over the years nearly 500 volunteers from Fermanagh have volunteered overseas with support from the Foundation towards their travel and other costs. These grants have made a significant contribution to these volunteers and their endeavours,   helping change the lives of people and communities in developing countries across the world and also contributing towards the personal development of the volunteers themselves.

Established in 2003 in memory of Bertie, Mark and Emma Fisher, the Fisher Foundation aims to make a valuable contribution to two key themes: motorsport safety initiatives and supporting local people volunteering overseas. The Foundation’s work is firmly based on Bertie and Mark’s love of rallying and safety in the sport and Emma’s commitment to voluntary work overseas by supporting those involved in these areas today. To date well over £400,000 has been distributed to support these two themes.

Ernie Fisher, Chairman of the Fisher Foundation said, “With our overall aim of providing much needed financial resources to help those who give their time to assist projects across the world, we are delighted to be in a position to support such excellent work talking place. Yet again we see another example of Fermanagh’s rich culture of giving and volunteering to help those less fortunate. It is a privilege for the Foundation to be able to support the efforts of these inspiring volunteers and we wish them every success in their worthwhile projects”.

Closing date for applications to the Fisher Foundation is 28th February annually. For more information CLICK HERE