Ciaran Bingham, from Belle Isle, was just 19 when he was killed in a motorcycle accident in Outwood in January 2011. Now a charity – The Ciaran Bingham Foundation Trust – has been set up in memory of the teenager who championed people in need.
Below, his mum Margaret Bingham and Andrea Edwards, chairperson of The Ciaran Bingham Foundation Trust, writes about this Friday’s launch event of the charity (tickets are still available):
We are writing on behalf of the trustees and committee members of a newly formed charity, The Ciaran Bingham Foundation Trust.
The charity has been founded by Ciaran’s mother, Margaret Bingham and Andrea Edwards and is supported by a committed number of volunteers and sponsors in the local community.
Tragically, Margaret’s son, Ciaran was involved in a Road Traffic Accident in January 2010 which ended his short life days a few days after his 19th birthday. Ciaran was a highly sociable person who loved life and loved helping those around him, young and old and we want to help others in Ciaran’s memory. Our initial aim was to raise 21,000 for The Hunslet Club, a local youth charity that was close to Ciaran’s heart and over the years has contributed to helping hundred of local young people achieve their potential.
We achieved this target through a number of events including a 13.5 mile memorial walk, a sponsored sky-dive ladies pamper nights and themed party nights. Along the way we have met many people who have touched our hearts and who we want to help and support as an independent charity. We have also met some incredible people who want to help us achieve this and the journey has now really just begun.
The Ciaran Bingham Foundation Trust has been founded to support and deliver projects aimed predominantly at helping elderly and vunerable people in the local community as well as identifying ways all social groups can come together and better understand each others needs. Our Patron is the Rt. Hon Hilary Benn MP.
The objectives of the Trust are as follows:
- To foster community spirit and enhance relationships between the elderly and young in South Leeds
- To provide support to the elderly and vulnerable people in South Leeds by forging relationships with local residential homes and support groups. Identify projects where the trust can work with partners to support their aims and objectives and provide services that value to the local community
We would like to invite people to attend the official “CBFT Launch Party” in recognition of our official status as an independent charity. This will be taking place on Friday 16th November 2012 at the Irish Centre in Leeds.
It will be a fantastic evening of entertainment and fun. Features of the evening include:
- The Greatest Take That Tribute Act
- The Risk (2011 X Factor finalists)
- A performance by the Hunslet Club Strictly Coming Dancing Winners – Jonny and Mia Valente
- Raffle, auction and stand up/sit down bingo
- A “Yorkshire Fayre” fork buffet
We sincerely hope you are able to join us and that you agree that the trust has an exciting future ahead of it as we continue our journey.
For more information or to buy a ticket, contact Andrea on 07967 179241 or email: andrea.edwards30@me.com