A Co Armagh-based charity, which will help Portadown schoolchildren, has been successful in securing funding from the Allen & Overy Foundation.
This year 60 applications were submitted, the highest number received to date. Successful organisations, including Aspire NI, will receive a share of £88,479 to support their work.
To qualify for support, charities must specialise in promoting access to justice, or support and develop education or employment projects across Northern Ireland.
Aspire NI will use £5,334 from the Allen & Overy Foundation to provide free after-school homework sessions in St John the Baptist’s College, Killicomaine Junior High School, Craigavon Senior High School, and St John the Baptist Primary School.
Mark Knox, CEO of Aspire NI said; “The funding we receive from the Allen & Overy Foundation will ensure that two members of staff can continue to provide high quality and essential support to pupils from low-income families.
“The funding will enable us to run weekly homework clubs across four schools and covers food costs to ensure young people have something to eat and drink at the beginning of each session. This funding will have a massive impact on the lives of 80 young people this school year.”
Simon Wagstaff, Associate Director, Technology Services at A&O Belfast, and Chair of the Belfast Grants Committee, comments on the latest funding allocation: “Aspire NI has a passion and commitment to helping young people reach their full potential by removing barriers to education. We are very aware that not everyone has the same opportunities in life, or the same access to education, but we believe that our backgrounds should not define our future success.
“By working together, we can make significant progress and positively change the lives of young people.
“As well as offering financial assistance, we will be working with Aspire NI to identify reciprocal volunteering and pro bono opportunities for our employees. This is an important aspect of our commitment and continued investment as a responsible business.”
The Allen & Overy Foundation is funded by contributions from A&O partners worldwide and is managed locally by the Belfast Grants Committee.
It underlines a commitment to social impact – giving back, supporting initiatives at a grass roots level, and having a positive impact on the local community – that is central to building a fair and equitable society.
