The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 37: June/July 2018 | Page 40

POSITIVE BUSINESS Inner Flame celebrates 10th Anniversary with Young Champions evening Swindon-based charity, Inner Flame is celebrating ten years of success this year in its mission is to help disadvantaged young people (aged 16-25) achieve their potential. Inner Flame is working towards a world where every young person recognises their own value, sees their potential and what they can contribute to the world and feels confident to conquer whatever challenges come their way. The charity runs programmes for young people in Swindon and Bath and is the local delivery partner for the Prince’s Trust TEAM programme, a 12-week course to develop essential skills required for employment and life. To mark Inner Flame’s 10th anniversary they held their annual Young Champions evening on Friday April 20. On the night six young people who have participated in Inner Flame courses and have achieved great things received awards to recognise their success. The night was made extra special with inspirational speeches from guest speakers Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards, the self-taught Olympic ski jumper, and Paralympian, Stephanie Millward. Inner Flame CEO, Gail McKay said:“It’s incredibly important that we take time to recognise the achievements of the young people that we work with. The vast majority of these individuals have had to overcome very unique challenges, so we believe it’s imperative that we have a designated occasion to celebrate their successes. With it additionally being our tenth anniversary, we wanted to ensure that this event was extra special so as to thank those that have supported us for the past ten years, and to invite people to join us in our work over the next.” Inner Flame’s Young Champions made an impact on Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards and he has since become a patron of the charity. Eddie said: “I am honoured to become a patron of such a great charity. Inner Flame help people to achieve things they never thought they could, which of course had a great affinity with my own personal journey to the Winter Olympics.” Gail McKay, CEO of Inner Flame added: “We’re absolutely delighted to have Eddie become a patron for Inner Flame. Numerous parts of his journey to the 1988 Calgary Olympics have similarities to the struggles some of our young people face and Eddie embodies the sentiment that you don’t necessarily have to win a gold medal to succeed.” The Young Champions evening was sponsored by Swindon-based business Dialog Semiconductor, a long-term supporter of the charity. To inspire the next generation Inner Flame is looking for further businesses to partner with them in the coming years. If you would like to find out more about Inner Flame and how you can help email: [email protected] or call 01793 862555 Pictured (from left to right): Gail McKay, David Wreathall and Stephanie Millward Pictured (from left to right): Gail McKay, Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards and James Threlfall LOVE OFFICE SPACE Flexible space with great terms MEETING ROOMS VIRTUAL OFFICE TELECOMS BUSINESS SUPPORT As a business owner, it’s your passion and commitment that drives your business. Basepoint Business Centres share this enthusiasm and are committed to helping businesses by offering first-class workspaces alongside services that support you in making your business a success. Offices | Flexi-Space | Virtual Office | Meeting Rooms Unique workspaces for your business Contact us today 01793 602555 [email protected] @basepoint_swnd 40 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2018 basepoint.co.uk