Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Graduate turns Judge for Leeds Mencap Apprentice Challenge
The 24-year-old entrepreneur will join the city charity's judging panel alongside businessman Keith Madely MBE, also known as Mr Yorkshire, Barclays Business Manager Dawn Spencer and a panellist from Simply Health, the event sponsors. The Challenge, which will take on the style of the hit BBC show The Apprentice, will unite organisations in a bid to support local people with learning disabilities, along with their families and carers.
John - who graduated from Leeds Met with a BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching degree in 2010 before embarking on a number of successful business ventures including the launch of Leeds-based magazine The Professional last year - encouraged enterprising students to form a team and get involved.
He commented: "It's a real privilege to support Leeds Mencap with this project and I'm honoured to be on their judging panel. Leeds Mencap is an important independent charity created by and for people with learning disabilities. They currently support more than 300 families on a weekly basis providing advice and practical help that will aid a family unit in the long-term.
"For the Apprentice Challenge we are looking for ambitious teams to take part and showcase their entrepreneurial skills. Each team will take a £50 initial loan and turn it into the highest amount possible over a four week period. The more enterprising the ideas are the better. We already have a good mix of teams from a number of well-known companies and organisations set to take part, but we'd love to see some aspiring student entrepreneurs form a team and get involved too."
Following the fundraising period, all participating teams will be invited to a round-up celebration event to showcase their fundraising strategies. The judging panel will scrutinise each team's processes and the group to raise the highest amount will win. All funds raised will be donated to Leeds Mencap.
Senior Fundraising Officer at Leeds Mencap, Fahad Khan, added: "The challenge will give participating teams a great opportunity to build new partnerships with businesses across Leeds and will be great for reaching corporate social responsibility targets - whilst also having great fun! What's more National Apprenticeship Week falls at the time when this event is happening and we are encouraging young people to enter teams and take part alongside big businesses.
"The 'hired' team will win the title of 'Leeds Mencap Apprentice' for the year 2014/2015 along with a commemorative trophy which will honor their hard work and commitment to supporting people in Leeds that have learning disabilities."
Team registration costs £25 and an initial loan of £50 will be provided by Leeds Mencap to each team.
To find out more about the challenge or to help support Leeds Mencap contact the team on 0113 235133, visit www.leedsmencap.org.uk or email fahad.khan@leedsmencap.org.uk.