Fisher Foundation supports local volunteers to carry out work overseas

At a special presentation event in Fermanagh House, 20 Fisher Foundation voluntary work overseas grants totalling £15,000 were awarded, supporting a large number of local people and organisation undertaking voluntary work overseas this summer.

 

This year’s grant recipients with trustees of the Fisher Foundation

 

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 Egypt, Kenya, DR Congo, Uganda, Nepal, Nigeria, Italy, Romania, Tanzania, Brazil, South Africa, Ghana, Nicaragua, Japan, Laos, Grenada and India.

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 over £300,000 has been distributed to support these two themes.

 

(L-R) Peter Hilton Leprosy Mission, Shannon Cathcart Fields of Life, Erne Fisher, Mary Slevin Mellon Educate and John Porteous on behalf of Sean Porteous Friends of Africa
(L-R) Nicola Kerr Original Volunteers, Hannah McCann Mellon Educate, Natasha Crawford Fields of Life, Orlaigh Maguire Project Favela and Kenny Fisher

 

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 said they were pleased to once again be able to support so many good causes and volunteers working overseas, “With our overall aim of providing much needed financial resources to help organisation and volunteers 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. We were so impressed this year by the range age of people and the variety of projects supported. Some fantastic organisations involving numerous local volunteers carrying out work in 17 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”.

 

(L-R) Fr Brian D’Arcy, Gary Kearns and Sam Balmer Sow2Reap, Austin Frazer, Beulah Elliott on behalf of Aoife Elliott ANP Networks Romania, Jenny Smyth and Abigail Smyth CMS Ireland
(L-R) Fr Brian D’arcy, Joanne Rainey Child Evangelism Fellowship and Ernie Fisher

 

Over 430 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, the outcomes of which have been truly significant and have also contributed towards the personal development of the volunteers themselves, especially the young volunteers.

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

 

(Back L-R) Marilyn Quinn on behalf of Stewart Quinn Asia Link, Fr Brian D’Arcy and Bridie Duffy Trócaire. (Front L-R) Maeve McGandy UN Habitat, Maggie Muldoon Livability, Aleta Love and Jodie Hamilton Fermanagh Girlguiding