“Over the last seven years, The Gallaher Trust has had a profound impact on the Ballymena community through supporting the stellar work of our delivery partners. We want to ensure that we can keep making a difference to the people of the area and the local economy, and we will be steadfast in our approach to achieve this in the years ahead.”
These are the words of Greg McKinley, Director of Operations at The Gallaher Trust, who was speaking after the Making A Difference (MAD) Business Breakfast event, which was hosted in conjunction with Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Tullyglass House Hotel last Thursday (21st November).
In a packed room of almost 100 representatives from local businesses, charities, social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations, attendees heard success stories from delivery partners including Northern Regional College, Triangle Housing, the Northern Ireland Hospitality School and Harmony Studio.
Pictured discussing the NI Hospitality School during The Gallaher Trust and Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s MAD Business Breakfast event are, from left, Ashley Douglas, Skye Hanley, who is a recent graduate of the School, Shauna Kerr and Ian Paisley, Chairman of The Gallaher Trust.
Pictured taking part in a panel discussion during The Gallaher Trust and Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s MAD Business Breakfast event, are from left, Rosie McCreight, Harmony Studio, Maia White, The Ticket Bakehouse and Connor Martin, Founder of The Jaq Group and The Essence Vault.
Skye Hanley, a graduate of the Northern Ireland Hospitality School, Maia White, from The Ticket Bakehouse and Connor Martin, Founder of the Jaq Group and the Essence Vault, also shared their experiences of completing delivery partner programmes and their hopes for the future.
“It was very inspiring to hear from our delivery partners and programme participants today and I would like to sincerely thank them for their input,” continued Greg.
“At The Gallaher Trust, our mission is to support projects that create jobs, develop skills and assist disadvantaged adults and we’re delighted to see that we have made a real difference to people living within the Ballymena area, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our delivery partners.”
Pictured addressing attendees at The Gallaher Trust and Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s MAD Breakfast Event, is Greg McKinley, Director of Operations at The Gallaher Trust.
Delivery partner applications are set to reopen in January 2025 and since The Gallaher Trust’s inception in 2017, the organisation has already committed £2.8 million to support projects which have created over 360 jobs, upskilled over 1,500 people and assisted over 1,600 disadvantaged adults.
“We’re very keen to hear from any businesses, charities, social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations that may have ideas that fit within the Trust’s ethos,” explained Ian Paisley, Chairman of The Gallaher Trust.
“We have already positively impacted our community in recent years, and we are determined to continue our mission, but we cannot do this without the help of delivery partners. I would encourage anyone who may be interested in working with The Trust to get in contact and we’ll help get your project off the ground.”
Gordon Kane and Pamela Steele from Northern Regional College are pictured discussing the NI Manufacturing Academy during The Gallaher Trust and Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s MAD Business Breakfast event.
Meanwhile, Mark Wiggins, President of the Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Industry added:
“We were delighted to showcase the success of The Gallaher Trust and its delivery partners during the MAD Business Breakfast event. It was a unique opportunity for attendees to learn more about the Trust and how it can help them create jobs and upskill individuals, which is essential to bolster the wider business economy within Ballymena.”
Delivery partner applications will reopen in January 2025. For more information on The Gallaher Trust and its work, visit the website here.