Motor Vehicle Movers, a team of young people from South West College (SWC) in Omagh, are celebrating today having been named People’s Prize winners at the Northern Ireland final of Lloyds Banking Group’s Money for Life Challenge, a UK-wide competition to inspire better money management skills in communities across the UK.
Motor Vehicle Movers' travelled to Parliament Buildings, Stormont to present their money-saving idea, which looked at how to support other young trainees and prospective trainees at South West College with financial advice and guidance relating to their particular course of study - Motor Vehicle Studies. They beat nine other money-saving projects from across the country to win the People’s Prize category, which was decided on via a public vote by attendees at the final event.
The team undertook their project over a three month period, having been awarded a £500 grant from Money for Life to put their ideas into action.
David Rowsell, Head of the Money for Life Programme at Lloyds Banking Group said: “Now in its fourth year, the Money for Life Challenge continues to help young people create a money management project to benefit their local community and enables them to develop the skills they need to manage their own money too.
“This year’s Challenge has seen teams demonstrate a high standard of innovation and commitment and the judges were hugely impressed by our national finalists. We are thrilled to see that many of them have already had a positive and measurable impact in their communities.”
Money for Life is one of the core programmes at the heart of Lloyds Banking Group’s aim to help Britain prosper. The Money for Life Challenge in Northern Ireland is run in partnership with NOW Group.
Speaking at the event, OFMDFM Junior Minister Jonathan Bell said: “Initiatives such as the Money for Life Programme help ensure that people are more informed, more skilled and as a result more confident about managing their finances. Money management is a vital skill for everyone. It is encouraging to hear the ideas presented here tonight support and complement the work the Northern Ireland Executive is developing to help people take control of their finances. Each of the teams should be very proud of their achievements.”
Junior Minister Jennifer McCann added: “This Challenge highlights the importance of understanding money management as well as the value of seeking the views and ideas of young people. I congratulate all of the young people for their work to address money management issues in practical ways which will benefit those around them.”
Dawn Warnock, Business Development Manager, NOW Group, Belfast said: “I’m delighted for Motor Vehicle Movers. All of this year’s national finalists have delivered projects across NI that tackle real financial issues in their local communities. They have raised financial awareness amongst key audiences whilst learning money management skills themselves. They should be very proud of their efforts and the impact they’ve had.”
The guys from Motor Vehicle Movers said: “We are delighted to have won the Money for Life Challenge NI People’s Prize. It feels wonderful to be recognised for all the hard work we have invested in our project and are so grateful to everyone who supported us along the way.
“Our idea highlights money-saving opportunities in relation to the expense of buying tool kits and equipment for the course. We worked with local financial bodies and suppliers to the motor vehicle industry and we plan to roll out the idea across other curriculum areas and SWC campuses.”
The Motor Vehicle Movers will go on to represent NI at the UK Grand Final in London on May 10th where an even bigger prize is up for grabs!