St. Patrick’s students win £3000 for Barnardos

Five Year Nine students from St Patrick’s College have won £3000 for the local branch of Barnardos after pitching for the charity in front of a panel of judges.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Apr 2014, 11:18 BST
St Patrick's College students who were the winning team in the YPI (Youth and Philanthropy Initiative) competition are seen here with a cheque for £3000 which goes to their chosen charity Barnardos. L-R, Megan Harrison, Kerry McDonnell, Natalia Borris, Iona Fijalkowska and Katie Black with school principal Mrs Magee, Lauren Lamberton (YPI) and teacher Miss Dowrzycz. INBT 17-104JCSt Patrick's College students who were the winning team in the YPI (Youth and Philanthropy Initiative) competition are seen here with a cheque for £3000 which goes to their chosen charity Barnardos. L-R, Megan Harrison, Kerry McDonnell, Natalia Borris, Iona Fijalkowska and Katie Black with school principal Mrs Magee, Lauren Lamberton (YPI) and teacher Miss Dowrzycz. INBT 17-104JC
St Patrick's College students who were the winning team in the YPI (Youth and Philanthropy Initiative) competition are seen here with a cheque for £3000 which goes to their chosen charity Barnardos. L-R, Megan Harrison, Kerry McDonnell, Natalia Borris, Iona Fijalkowska and Katie Black with school principal Mrs Magee, Lauren Lamberton (YPI) and teacher Miss Dowrzycz. INBT 17-104JC

The whole of the year group at the school have been taking part in the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative, which aims to grow compassionate communities through the teaching of strategic philanthropy.

The ground-breaking programme, running for the second year in Northern Ireland, aims to create the next generation of passionate and committed philanthropists by providing real life experiences of charitable giving.

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Working in teams to identify the social needs of their local community, pupils select a local charity that best addresses their chosen issue. They interview staff and beneficiaries before preparing a presentation for a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style judging panel, made up of students and prominent members of the community, with the best team winning a £3,000 donation for their charity.

St Patrick’s College, Dunclug College and St Louis Grammar School are all taking part this year, resulting in a total of £9000 being granted to local charities and empowering young people to be powerful agents of change in their own communities. A total of £30,000 will be given away across Northern Ireland in 2014.

Cate Magee, Principal of St Patrick’s said: “The project has engaged, enthused and inspired not only some but all Year Nine pupils, with many committing themselves to extra hours of work outside of school. It has helped the young people develop both confidence and new skills and is yet another example of how the school and the community can mutually benefit those in need.”

The event at Dunclug College will take place on May 13 at 10am and at St Louis the same day at 1pm.

Related topics:Northern Ireland