Our Stories
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Our finalist showcase begins! Meet Jeffrey and Sara
15 August 2022
We’re sharing videos from each of our ACT Bright Future Prize 2022 finalists! Find out more about each of our teens and their brilliant ideas for community projects. First up is Jeffrey from the USA who wants to create a documentary film about his inspiring ‘ninja nannas’ and Sara from Ireland who has an amazing design for wooden wind turbines. Read more
Smashing our target to raise £100,000 for Samaritans!
05 August 2022
We’re delighted to share that we’ve smashed our fundraising goal, reaching a phenomenal £100,000 in support of Ardonagh Community Trust’s (ACT) partner – mental health charity, Samaritans. Find out how colleagues from across the Group helped us get there. Read more
Who’s on the shortlist? Meet our Bright Future Prize finalists
04 July 2022
After receiving applications from teens across the world, we’re ready to reveal our eight ACT Bright Future Prize 2022 finalists! Find out more about each of our teens and their brilliant ideas for community projects ranging from karate lessons for senior citizens to new designs for wind turbines and a neurodiversity hub to support young people with autism. Who do you think will win a share of the £40,000 prize fund to make their idea a reality? Read more
Over £30,000 to support causes nominated by colleagues in ACT’s second round of Community grants for 2022
24 June 2022
Over £30,000 of funding has been awarded by Ardonagh Community Trust to seven community projects put forward by colleagues from across Ardonagh – ranging from defibrillators in Gibraltar, to youth internet safety, girls’ rugby sessions and a new programme of friendship sessions to support loneliness in elderly people. We share the stories behind the causes and why they mean so much to our colleagues who nominated them. Read more
Healing our healthcare heroes after the pandemic
08 June 2022
To mark National Intensive Care week, we share a recent ACT grant in which we have been able to support those working in healthcare. Ian Barclay, MD Geo Agriculture, nominated Intensive Care Society for an ACT Community Grant in support of his sister-in-law and Intensive Care Consultant Sarah Clarke. Sarah shares her story of working during the pandemic and her recent snow challenge fundraising trek. Read more
Tackling mental health through the power of football
11 May 2022
As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, colleague Michael Cunningham shares the story of his mental health journey, how it led him to found Kick Start FC to help others with their own mental wellbeing, and how a grant from Ardonagh Community Trust at the start of this year is helping him grow the charity further to support teenagers. Read more
Celebrating one year in partnership with Samaritans this Mental Health Awareness Week
09 May 2022
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2022, we celebrate our one-year anniversary supporting Samaritans in the UK and Ireland. Find out how much we’ve raised so far towards our £100,000 goal and some of the fundraising highlights from the past 12 months. Read more
Lilac's Little Legs
26 April 2022
Born prematurely, Lilac was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and her mum was told she'd never walk or talk. In 2018, Lilac was one of our first ACT grant recipients, which enabled her to have a life changing operation – and since then she hasn't stopped smashing expectations. Lilac's mum, Leila, shares the story of her journey so far. Read more
Remembering my brother with Andy’s Man Club
19 April 2022
Colleague Phil Moss tells how his brother’s tragic death led to his search to find a way to help others who are struggling with their mental health, and how an ACT Community Grant to support Andy's Man Club is helping the charity to open in even more locations. Read more
Delivering essentials to the Ukraine border – Steven’s story
12 April 2022
We share the story of colleague Steven Price from Towergate, who has gone above and beyond to make a difference to refugees who have fled to Poland – driving to the border to deliver donations to an aid centre. 72 hours, 40 hours of driving, and 2,500 miles later, Steven shares in his own words his journey and what he experienced along the way. Read more