Weir congratulates pupils on child friendly cancer information books

Education Minister, Peter Weir, has congratulated Young Enterprise Company, “Enlighten Hope” who recently won the Young Enterprise Award for their child friendly cancer books.

“Enlighten Hope” was formed by a group of students from St Patrick’s College, Dungannon as part of Young Enterprise NI’s (YENI’s) Company Programme 2015/16.  The group produced a trio of books for parents and carers undergoing cancer treatment to read with their children and they won the overall Young Enterprise UK Company of the Year Award and third place in the European Awards.

Speaking during the visit the Minister said:

“These are highly prestigious awards, indeed “Enlighten Hope” are the first overall UK winners from Northern Ireland in over 20 years, which is a testament to the creativity, passion and commitment of all those involved. What the students have achieved is truly impressive. Through this programme, “Enlighten Hope” has written and published a trio of books on dealing with chemotherapy and radiotherapy side effects in a child friendly manner. As well as winning awards, the company has had sales of over twenty thousand pounds, with the profits going to children’s’ charities.”

Almost 1,800 students participated in YENI’s Company and Team business entrepreneurship programmes in the 2015/16 academic year.  The programme provides students with the opportunity to set up and run their own real company over the course of the academic year.

The Minister continued:

“The success of “Enlighten Hope” highlights the benefits of having the support and involvement of the wider community in the life of our schools. I am sure that the achievements of the students involved will inspire pupils in the College and across Northern Ireland, as well as demonstrating what can be achieved through focus, hard work, and determination. I would like to congratulate all the students involved as well as their teachers, families, and the wider community, who no doubt offered a great deal of support throughout the process.”

Notes to editors: 

1. The Young Enterprise NI’s (YENI’s) Company and Team business entrepreneurship programmes provide students with the opportunity to set up and run their own real company over the course of the academic yearThe theme of last year’s event was ‘The Future of Work’ and young people had the opportunity to participate in a number of workshops that focused on skills development and their future in work.
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