Fermanagh volunteers carrying out work overseas receive grant awards totalling over £10,000 from the Fisher Foundation

Since it’s establishment in 2003 the Fisher Foundation has supported over 500 people from Fermanagh to volunteer overseas. 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.

This year’s recipients will be involved in a range of development programmes. Ruth McKane will use her grant for charity projects in Gambia, covering her travel and accommodation costs for her mission in December 2024. Mary Slevin and Adrian McGovern, both traveling to Cape Town in November 2024, will engage in building projects with Mellon Educate, supported by their grants. Daniel Gilmore's grant will fund his travel to Kenya in July 2024 with Jengana, where he will participate in community volunteer work.

 

(L-R) Ernie Fisher Chairman of the Fisher Foundation, Ruth McKane award recipient, Pat Maguire award recipient and Fr. Brian D'Arcy Trustee of the Fisher Foundation

Church Mission Society Ireland received funding to send teams to Sudan and Nepal, while The Leprosy Mission NI will use its grant for specialist healthcare through Anandaban Hospital and the Dignity First project in Nepal. Claire Owens will travel to Moldova in August to volunteer in schools, orphanages, and elderly residences as part of the Telecoms Eastern European Challenge. Pat Maguire will join the Waste Reduction Volunteer Programme in Livingstone, Zambia, with African Impact, thanks to his grant. 

Established 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, administered by the Fermanagh Trust.

 

 

 

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 and assisting Fermanagh’s 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