Fermanagh

Recipients of the Fisher Foundation awards along with representatives of the Fermanagh Trust and Fisher Foundation

 

At a special presentation event in Fermanagh House this year’s Fisher Foundation voluntary work overseas grants totalling £15,000 were awarded to 37 local people from 16 different organisations.

Established in 2003 in memory of Bertie, Mark and Emma by Fisher Engineering and with support from friends across the country, 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 over £300,000 has been distributed to support these two themes.

Maggie Muldoon, Livability, Tom Muldoon, Livability, Father Brian D’Arcy, Trustee of the Fisher Foundation, Mary Slevin, Mellon Educate and Amy Woods, World Gospel Mission

 

This year’s recipients will be involved in a range of development programmes. During the summer local people will be assisting in orphanages, healthcare work, teaching, supporting women’s development and carrying out community projects.  Their endeavours will see them provide much needed support in a number of countries including the Philippines, Jamaica, Uganda, Ethiopia, Peru, Indonesia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Romania, Chile, Zambia, Tanzania and Nepal.

The presentation event was attended by representatives from each of the organisations receiving grant awards, along with representatives from the Fisher Foundation and the Fermanagh Trust which administers the Foundation. The organisations and volunteers were commended by the Foundation for the commitment, dedication and the wide range of worthwhile, innovative projects which will all no doubt make a major contribution.

  
Ernie Fisher, Chairman of the Fisher Foundation and Austin Frazer, Trustee of the Fisher Foundation with members of the Operation Rescue team.

Ernie Fisher, Chairman of the Fisher Foundation said they were delighted to be able to support so many good causes and volunteers working overseas; “The Fisher Foundation was established with the overall aim of providing much needed financial resources to help organisation and volunteers who give their time to assist projects across the world and it is great that we are in a position to support such excellent work talking place. 16 fantastic organisations involving numerous local volunteers carrying out work in 13 different countries is yet another example of Fermanagh’s rich culture of giving and volunteering to help those less fortunate. It is a privilege to be able to support the efforts of these inspiring volunteers and we wish them every success”.

  
LEFT - Maria Cleary, Trocaire, Father Brian D’Arcy, Trustee of the Fisher Foundation, Brian Lavery, The Church Mission Society, Ernie Fisher, Chairman of the Fisher Foundation and Canon John Hoy, The Leprosy Mission. RIGHT - Ernie Fisher, Chairman of the Fisher Foundation, Mrs Elliott on behalf of Aoife Elliott, ANP Networks Romania, Claire Carleton, Habitat for Humanity and Susannah Irwin, Child Evangelism Fellowship

 

Over 400 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.  The volunteers have carried out invaluable work supporting and implementing projects including health projects, physical disability programmes, help for women and children, house building and a range of education initiatives. The outcomes have been truly significant and have also contributed towards the personal development of the volunteers themselves, especially the young volunteers.

For more information on the Fisher Foundation visit www.fisher-foundation.com

Becky Dickson, World Gospel Mission, Simon Kingston, Methodist Missionary Society, Ernie Fisher, Chairman of the Fisher Foundation, Yvonne Cunningham, Young Adults Peru Team and Hayley Corbett, Abaana