It was another close contest at this year’s Grand Finals of the One World Charity Challenge competition – a project that introduces Year 12 students to people working in international development. The six finalists had already battled through the in-school heats to represent their chosen charities after a record 32 teams signed up to the programme last September.
Taking the top spot in 2024 were the team from Ballakermeen High School who won the judges over with their presentation on the charity Disability Africa and the many initiatives they had taken to raise awarenesss – including writing and publishing a book for children! They won £1,500 for Disability Africa and it was the third year running that a team from Ballakermeen took home the Frances Davidson Cup!
Second were the team from Castle Rushen High School who represented Village Africa and who also picked up the AFD Award for Advocacy for their work raising awareness of the charity in local media. They won £1,000 for Village Africa in second place and another £1,000 through the Advocacy prize.
Picking up third place was the team from Ramsey Grammar School who won £750 for The Leprosy Mission. They were followed by three runners up that included the teams from King William’s College representing The Virtual Doctors, Queen Elizabeth II High School representing Pump Aid and St Ninian’s High School representing Self Help Africa. All three runners up won £500 each for their charities.
We are indebted to the judges who had a difficult job. They were Jesamine Kelly, Principal of UCM; Phil Gawne, former MHK and chair of the Isle of Man’s International Development Committee , Michael Manning, the Eighth Manx Bard; and Dr Christa McCartney, Lecturer in business ethics and social responsibility. The venue and technical help were kindly provided by AFD Ltd.
Most of all we are grateful to the One World Centre members and supporters who generously provided the prize fund on this occasion, and to the Isle of Man Government who covered the education and organisational costs through the International Development Education and Awareness Raising Grant. We are now on the hunt for funders for the 2024-25 competition.
