Ciaran Bingham, from Belle Isle, was just 19 when he was killed in a motorcycle accident in Outwood in January 2010. 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, write about the recent launch event for the charity and what the future holds in 2013:
The Ciaran Bingham Foundation Trust was founded by Margaret Bingham and Andrea Edwards and is supported by a committed number of volunteers and sponsors in the local community.
Ciaran was a highly sociable person who loved life and loved helping those around him, young and old, and the trust wants to help others in Ciaran’s memory. Margaret explains:
“We achieved an initial aim to raise £21,000 for The Hunslet Club, a local youth charity that was close to Ciaran’s heart, 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 vulnerable people in the local community as well as identifying ways all social groups can come together and better understand each others needs.
Patron is Hilary Benn MP and local Leeds Rhinos favourite Paul McShane. Andrea added:
“We recently enjoyed an official launch night with an evening of entertainment and fun at the Irish Centre in Leeds hosted by Leeds Legend, Terry George which resulted in over £10,000 being raised to kick-start the projects planned in 2013.”
Volunteers also served Christmas dinner to 160 senior citizens at a Christmas Party. The elderly residents were also treated to bingo and Christmas carols sung by Hunslet Club youngsters and a performance by their Irish dancers.
On Christmas Day, their fantastic band of volunteers delivered Christmas Dinner to 30 elderly resident of the South Leeds Community who are housebound or would otherwise have spent the day alone.
Andrea added:
“We are really starting to make a difference to people’s lives and its all thanks to everyone who pulls together in the community to help out.”
Volunteers are due to distribute emergency boxes to 200 local residents on Sunday 13th January. The boxes contain items to help cope with harsh weather such as blankets, hats, gloves, torches, grit, low energy lightbulbs and emergency contact numbers.
The charity will host a 1940s night at the Hunslet Club on February 22 complete with 1940’s tribute act and dancing recreating the atmosphere of “The Blitz”.
