Two leading figures in the Island’s finance sector will be exchanging working lunch reservations for Indian reservations when they trek through the Grand Canyon this May on a challenge to help raise funds for Junior Achievement Isle of Man.
Boston Group CEO Greg Ellison and Deloitte Isle of Man partner-in-charge Sarah Sanders, both Junior Achievement directors, have volunteered to take part in the trip organised by specialist charity challenge event organisers Global Adventure Challenge. Mr Ellison and Ms Sanders, the charity’s treasurer, are both meeting all their costs personally to ensure all money raised goes to Junior Achievement to support its work to equip the Island’s young people with the essential skills they need when they leave full-time education.
They will be part of a group travelling from the UK to Phoenix where the eight-day challenge includes trekking in the Grand Canyon and descending into the Indian reservation of Havasupai, famed for having the last post office in the US still serviced by mule train.
No stranger to more extreme forms of exercise, having taken part in number of full and half marathons, ex-professional rugby player Mr Ellison is also noted for his fleetness of foot having won the Island’s Essentially Dancing competition in 2009 with his memorable samba routine. Ms Sanders, however, although no stranger to the workings of Junior Achievement having taken part in the charity’s company programme while a student at Ballakermeen High School, admits to being rather less familiar with the demands of physical exercise, explaining that ‘hitting 40’ in 2012 inspired her to rise to the challenge.
Mr Ellison said: ‘It takes a tremendous fundraising effort for Junior Achievement Isle of Man to raise the more than ?300,000 that’s needed every year to reach in the region of 5000 students. In this the charity shows real innovation, raising money from the Blake concert, The Next Big Thing and the forthcoming Harry Potter-themed two-day event. Against this background Sarah and I decided to roll our sleeves up, get involved and help raise funds for and the profile of Junior Achievement.’
Ms Sanders said: ‘Junior Achievement plays a vital role in developing young people’s entrepreneurial skills - more important than ever before, given the current difficult economic climate and contracting jobs market. Its innovative approach also helps raise students’ levels of ambition and open their eyes to opportunities.’
Mr Ellison added: ‘Isle of Man plc needs young people entering the workforce prepared and motivated. Junior Achievement’s support for students from primary school age through to 18 is an essential supplement to the good work of the schools through the curriculum.’
To sponsor Sarah Sanders visit http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/sarahsanders.
To sponsor Greg Ellison visit http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/gregellison.
Full details of the challenge can be found at www.globaladventurechallenges.com. Registration forms are available from Junior Achievement’s Tina Edge. Call 666266 or email tina@jaiom.im.
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