North East businesses are backing a campaign led by five local students, who are set to embark on an expedition to the British Virgin Islands (BVI) at the end March, to help with relief efforts following the unprecedented devastation of Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
Under the banner ‘Mission BVI’, the team of volunteers – Beccy Horgan Davison (18), Eliza McKendry (19), Henry Belfiori (19), Steph Treanor (18) and Henry Horgan Davison (16) – are volunteering their time and talents during the Easter holidays to support the community efforts alongside Unite BVI in the British Virgin Islands.
As well as offering their time, the team have been actively fundraising to raise money for Unite BVI. Through donations and support from local businesses and individuals including, Sir John Fitzgerald, Anarchy Brewery, Aspect CPM and Sanderson Young, the team have been able to raise over £7,000 to date.
Based on Virgin Gorda, the team will be supporting a major scale community clean up, working with local schools to re-establish the art and culture department, teaching about the importance of recycling and helping with various sport initiatives for after school clubs.
Beccy Horgan Davison, leader of the Mission BVI volunteer project, said: “The scale of damage caused by Hurricane Irma last year greatly affected me on a personal level after holidaying there, where I spent a lot of time exploring the islands and making friends with the locals.
“After the hurricane struck, I gathered help from my friends, some of whom had also visited the British Virgin Islands and some of whom had been affected by natural disasters before, and we put a plan in place to do everything we could to help. We began fundraising activities immediately and working multiple jobs to save money in order to pay for our travel.”
Beccy’s brother, Henry Horgan Davison, continued: “We’ve been overwhelmed with the support we’ve received so far from businesses in the North East but we’re still appealing for more to come forward with anything they can offer, as every little bit helps.”
The team are continuing in their quest for donations and hope to reach their target of £10,000 before leaving for the British Virgin Islands on 17th March 2018.
To donate please visit the Mission BVI Just Giving page
