Bear Grylls supports drive to raise £375,000
The Archbishop of York’s Youth Trust has today announced plans to raise £375,000 to extend its leadership courses for young people living in the top 20% of the most deprived areas across the North of England.
The independent charity has supported over 50,000 pupils in 450 schools to complete the Young Leaders Award at Key Stages 2, 3 and 4 since 2008. This fundraising aim is to reach out to an additional 15,000 young people living in disadvantaged communities in 300 primary and secondary schools within the next 18 months.
Bear Grylls, supporter of the Archbishop of York’s Youth Trust said: “I’m very proud to support the Archbishop’s work in schools. With the heart and spirit of the Youth Trust’s Young Leaders Award, young people thrive and that is always incredible to see.”
The Archbishop of York said: “Never before has it been so important for our young people, regardless of their background or faith, to discover the life skills of compassion, patience, self-control, gentleness and leadership. The Youth Trust is helping to raise a generation motivated by such virtues. Young people are the answer and have the potential to change our world for the better.”
The Young Leaders Awards, developed by the Youth Trust, are delivered to faith and non-faith groups, educating young people about community, respect and also developing a greater understanding of self and others. Citizenship modules are completed as part of the awards which encourage youth-led volunteering and positive social action. Students are guided and encouraged to run their own projects such as litter picking, fundraising for their local hospice, organising a Christmas party for the elderly, or supporting their local food bank.
The awards are designed to boost confidence, emotional resilience and life skills whilst learning about inspirational global leaders such as Mahatma Ghandi, whose famous phrase, “be the change you want to see” is a core value of the charity.
Dan Finn, Director of The Archbishop of York’s Youth Trust said, “We want our Young Leaders Awards to reach more children, particularly those with challenging backgrounds for whom, we believe, our Young Leaders Award will make a real difference. It costs just £25 to support a pupil through the leadership programme. We are calling on the general public, business leaders and organisations to back our fundraising appeal to help us raise £375,000.”
