BYHP Advocate network event- 22nd feb 2017

“to advocate” – verb
to speak or write in favour of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly:
“advocate” – noun
a person who speaks or writes in support or defence of a person, cause, etc. (usually followed by of)… ​

​Last night, BYHP held its 3rd Advocate Network Meeting with BYHP staff, Trustees, Volunteers and Young People welcoming a number of local supporters and interested parties to hear about BYHP, our activities in 2016 and plans for 2017.
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We were very kindly hosted by the XPO team at The Entertainer Distribution Centre in Noral Way – our thanks go to The Entertainer MD Gary Grant, Logistics Director Steve Williams and XPO Site Manager Ket Pancholi. Thanks also to Cathi at The Old Town Café in Parsons Street, Banbury, a BYHP supporter, who supplied a wonderful buffet for all of the attendees to enjoy.

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​Not only was it an opportunity to update everyone about BYHP we also had two very important things to do, firstly announce BYHP’s Young Person of the Year, Vincent North and secondly to hear from, thank and welcome home the amazing Šárka Naivertová, Managing Director of Distinct Estate Agents, based at Bloxham Mill, who has recently completed a climb of Kilimanjaro in aid of BYHP, raising over £7300 in the process.

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​Vincent received his trophy and certificate from the out-going holder from 2015, Luke Merriman and gave a wonderfully inspirational presentation about his journey into full time employment with Marks & Spencer.

Despite a number of challenges in his life, Vincent has always had a never-give-up attitude and part of his presentation explained this. 

​We were also able to formally launch a new initiative, ​​BYHP’s 100 in 2017 Fundraising Challenge, where BYHP is looking to engage with 100 different individuals, organisations and groups to raise up to £50,000 for BYHP in 2017.

We awarded Certificates of Participation to Connor Southwood, a BYHP volunteer and Jo and Anthony Robinson of The Kitchen in Farnborough to thank them for being part of the challenge, as part of the first 20+ participants in the programme.

Sarka was awarded both a Certificate of Participation and a Certificate of Awesomeness for taking part and completing her fundraising challenge, the first one to do so as part of the programme. We also ordered some beautiful flowers for her from local florist Flora Bella in Parsons Street, Banbury, as a small token of our appreciation for over a year of hard work getting ready for the climb. 

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Šárka then spoke about the life-changing experience that climbing Kilimanjaro was for her.
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Despite all the odds due to unseasonal weather conditions and terrible altitude sickness, Šárka was determined to make it to Uhuru summit, some 5895m high which she did, as she knew anything was possible if she just believed in herself and kept going, a message she wants to keep giving to BYHP’s young clients.
If you want to congratulate Šárka on her amazing feat, you can still donate here:  
​http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SarkaNaivertova

​We also thanked Beverley Bates for her wonderful fundraising activity in 2016. Despite a fear of flying and heights Beverley “Faced Her Fears” and was taken up in a small two-seater stunt plane to do aerial acrobatics, raising near £1500 in the process. Beverley’s fundraiser was just one of the many 2016 highlights we shared with the attendees.

​So, thanks to everyone who attended and for your on-going support of BYHP.
We had lots of lovely feedback with one attendee saying “Great to hear about BYHP's work and plans. I left feeling both moved and inspired.”

If you would like to know more about being part of the BYHP Advocate Network or to participate in BYHP’s 100 in 2017 Fundraising Challenge, or anything else related to our work, please email enquiries@byhp.org.uk
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​Thanks to BYHP volunteer Steve Lavelle for the photos.