 New Website
September 16, 2007, 10:36:45 PM by Barry Gater |
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Dear all
The old web site has now been replaced with a brand new one with up to date information and news about Fulcrum. You will probably need to change your shortcut to the new site which is still at www.fulcrum-challenge.org
There is a new message board where you can leave your feedback and anything else you want to tell us as well as keeping in touch with your Fulcrum friends.
This board will be removed soon and you will have to register on the new website to get access to the new board.
Fulcrum has grown a lot in the last few months, have a look at the site and let us know what you think and what you are up to now.
Best wishes from the Fulcrum Team
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Hi all!
Fulcrum exists because of the support of our sponsors, trustees, staff, volunteers, schools/colleges, parents, students, supporters, and our business associates both in the UK and overseas. All of you we consider to be part of the Fulcrum Family delivering life-changing experiences to our students and essential community support to those in the remote villages in which we work overseas.
We would like to share with you the news that our Chief Executive, John Hunt, is one of the four winners of the prestigious BT ChildLine Awards for 2006 for services to young people across the country.
John was chosen, with the other three winners from hundreds of nominations made by children from across the UK as an ‘Everyday Superhero’ whose commitment to changing the lives of children and young people has shone through his own success story. The fact that 10 students from Northern Ireland put him forward for the award has touched him deeply but he is well aware that he would not have achieved what he has without your support. He is deeply grateful for this and would like you to share in his success.
Fulcrum is striving to expand from its current level of 150 students a year (six programmes) to 300 (12 programmes). We all hope that the public relations and media coverage from John’s award will raise our profile and help us achieve our objectives for the future…
“Investing in the leaders of the future.”
See below for more information.
On behalf of the Fulcrum Team
Deanne Mahony
Programme Administer
HEROES’ RECEPTION FOR BT CHILDLINE AWARD WINNERS
When adults support and believe in them, young people are given the confidence to overcome the challenges that face them – that’s the message at the heart of the BT ChildLine Awards 2006. The winners, announced today (16 March) in a glittering ceremony at the BT Tower in London, have all been nominated by the remarkable young people whose lives they have changed.
The 2006 winners of the BT ChildLine Awards for Services to Children, John Hunt, Rose Lopez, Toby Hewson and Lynette Dyer, were chosen from hundreds of nominations – made by children across the UK – as ‘everyday superheroes’ whose commitment to changing the lives of children and young people shone throughout their heart-warming success stories.
· John Hunt, 65, Chief Executive of Fulcrum, was nominated by 10 young people from Northern Ireland after he took them to India to build a school for underprivileged children, as part of Fulcrum’s Personal Development Programme.
· Rose Lopez, 35, a Head of Year teacher from a school in East London, was nominated by Gulshanara, 17, whom she has supported through a serious mystery illness.
· Lynette Dyer, 53, a swimming coach and the first mixed race woman to swim for Britain, was nominated by William, nine, for supporting him throughout his little sister’s cancer treatment.
· Toby Hewson, 25, trustee of two charities, was nominated by Beth, 11, who like Toby has cerebral palsy, for giving her the confidence to believe in herself and not let her disability hold her back.
President of ChildLine, Esther Rantzen said: ‘A resounding theme of this year’s BT ChildLine Awards is the importance of self-esteem – all four of our winners have changed the lives of sometimes vulnerable young people by giving them the confidence and self-belief to feel positive about what they can achieve.
As a society we put so much pressure on young people, whether it’s having the right haircut or following the latest fad diet, children today feel they have so much to live up to. But with the right support and belief in their potential, adults can break this cycle and inspire young people to believe in themselves. With their words and acts of encouragement, John, Rose, Lynette and Toby have all had a truly positive impact on the lives of a diverse group of young people.’
Beth Courtier, head of Charity Programmes at BT, said: ‘Each year the BT ChildLine Awards serve as a reminder of the potential that is uncovered when we take the time to listen to young people. The stories behind this year’s everyday heroes are no exception; our winners have given these extraordinary young people the power to believe in themselves by providing friendship and guidance at a critical time in their lives.’
A new addition to the judging panel this year was Children’s Laureate, Jacqueline Wilson OBE, the first celebrity to win a BT ChildLine Award in 2004 in recognition of the way her writing has given young people a unique insight into challenging subjects. The judging panel, chaired by Esther Rantzen, also included representatives from BT and ChildLine, from media partners Radio Times and CBBC Newsround, and two young competition winners, Amy Seed and Chelsey Blake.
This year celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and Arsenal FC captain Thierry Henry also received BT ChildLine Awards in recognition of their services to children – Thierry for being an outstanding role model, speaking out against racism and bullying both on and off the field, and Jamie for his ‘Jamie’s School Dinners’ campaign and the opportunities he has created for young people at his restaurant Fifteen.
The BT ChildLine Awards also celebrate the determination and spirit of young people – some of whom have overcome considerable challenges to look forward to the future and to be able to thank those that have made a real difference. The stories behind this year’s winners are a testament to the remarkable difference it makes when you give children the tools to develop their own self-confidence.
BT ChildLine Awards for Services to Children 2006
Winner: John Hunt, from Dorset
Nominators: Dervala Ward, 18, Rachel Davidson, 18, Danielle Gallagher, 17, Fionnuala O’Shea, 17, Stephen Cassidy, 18, Rory Clifford, 17, Rosena Doyle, 17, Laura McFarlane, 18, Ashleen Mullian, 17 Catherine Murphy, 18, all from Northern Ireland.
Few people would consider retirement the same way that John Hunt has. On a life changing expedition to India John sat on the side of a mountain, thought about when he was going to retire and decided what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.
Since then, as Chief Executive of Fulcrum, John has taken over one thousand UK students to Africa, South America and India, building and rebuilding schools for some of the world’s poorest and most under-privileged children. John set up Fulcrum in 1996 as a registered charity which enables 16-17 year old students mainly form low-income families to realize their full potential. They develop their leadership and team working skills through experiential learning.
Fulcrum’s students passionately believe that John’s no-nonsense approach has changed their outlook on life. Catherine Murphy, one of the 10 young people from Northern Ireland who nominated John for the BT ChildLine Award, comments: ‘Before I went to Fulcrum I was shy. I’d think, is that person looking at me? Now I think, if they are, so what. I am happy with myself. John’s the nicest person that ever existed. He doesn’t judge you, or lie to you. Tells you what he really thinks, which can sometimes be scary. He’s direct, but nice.’
Another of John’s nominators, Stephen Cassidy, says of John: ‘He says exactly what you need to know. It’s late in life for him to be doing these things. He could have said: “Leave it to the next generation.” He’s changing things instead of all the politics and talk.’
Dr Ann Hunt, John’s wife and also part of Fulcrum agrees: ‘John says that everyone else has done wonderfully when clearly nothing would have been achieved without him.’
John says of winning the Award, and the Fulcrum phenomenon: ‘To be recognized, not by my peer group, but by 17-year-old students from Northern Ireland is unbelievable. To be nominated by young people at my age is the most valuable reward I have ever received. The confidence that Fulcrum gives the students helps them to fulfil their potential. I live life at a crazy pace but I am just an ordinary man, working with extraordinary young people who achieve amazing things.’
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 Job Vacancy: Administration Officer
February 23, 2006, 03:37:29 PM by challengemanager |
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Administrative Officer for the Expedition Advisory Centre
Are you interested in becoming the new Administrative Officer for the Expedition Advisory Centre at thd Royal Geographical Society with IBG?
Have a look on the RGS-IBG website: www.rgs.org/jobs or give Ms Shane Winser a call on: tel. +44 (0)20 7591 3030.
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Introduction from John
I would like to welcome you all to the new Fulcrum Newsletter. 2005 was an exciting year for Fulcrum; we ran 5 programmes, which meant a total of 143 more students, have taken part in the Fulcrum experience. We even took some of them to make a presentation in the Houses of Parliament, but more about that later.
I hear from many of you and it is so satisfying that they are doing well. Don’t forget we are always here to help you if you need us. And we do like to hear of your successes. Grief some of you have left Uni and are now making you way in the real world!
I came across this quote, which you should enjoy:
All men dream but not equally.
Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find it was vanity,
But dreamers of the day are dangerous people,
For they may act their dreams with open eyes,
To make it possible.
This I did! Lawrence of Arabia
Are you???????
Where are they now?
We would like your contributions for the Newsletter. E-mail the office and let us know what you are up to now. You may find yourself in the next edition one a month if we have the news to fill a page! E-mail office@fulcrum-challenge.org and put the suject as Newsletter.
We were in the Houses of Parliament!
On Wednesday 16th of November 2005 presenting to members of both Houses including Jonathon Shaw the Permanent Private Secretary to Ruth Kelly.
He said it was the best presentation he had seen in the house for years!!! 14 Fulcrumites took part and really did us proud. They were Laura Mc Farlane, Fergal O’Loan, Andrew Millarkie, Melanie Ward, Raymond Cooke, Amanda Fletcher, Tahera Begum, Alvin Lizarando ,Magda James, Omar Hassan, Alex Hinds and Kinal Amin. Thanks go out to you all!
2006 Appeal
It is now three years since we made an appeal to the Students and Parents of Fulcrum and I would like to thank all who made this a very successful campaign with donations of some £15,000. These funds gave us a platform for the successes we have recently enjoyed. Indeed we are now in a position to expand
In the nine years we have been running we have safely and successfully put one thousand and sixty six students through fifty-six programmes. Our Strategic Plan calls for a growth over the next three years from six challenges to twelve a year, after which we will review the opportunities for further growth.
The content of the programme continues to be developed. The Personal Development Workshop, run by People Positive is very professional and gives participants an excellent platform to develop their Team Working Skills while practicing Leadership. We have added a “Fulcrum Day” where we will be coaching ASDAN, Fundraising, Fitness and Health for Life. Overseas the Village Community Projects have become even more meaningful for the communities where we work. An example of this is the project to rebuild from scratch the Orphanage at Bakshi Panch. As well as the contribution to the local community, our aim continues to be to enable our student participants to develop their Personal Skills while contributing to society and becoming aware of their Global Responsibilities.
Expansion does not mean we will loose our family ethic, we will continue to offer our very exiting programme to more bright youngsters. As you know we are a charity and as such have to raise all our money through the generosity of people like you.
Can you help us with a donation to Fulcrum?
It doesn’t matter how small or large. I guarantee that it will be put to good use and will be the catalyst that will allow us to put more young people through what many of you have described as a life changing experience.
If you can help please send a cheque made out to “Fulcrum Challenge”. If you also complete a Gift Aid Form it will allow us to claim additional monies from central Government.
Other news
Stop Press……………………Fleur Wogin ex Challenors and Michael Jones of Isleworth and Syon programme 20 to the Rann of Katchchh are to be married in March. Congratulations! Are they the first Fulcrum pair to do this and who else of you is married? A bit of advice: remember to COMPROMISE!
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Dear Fulcrumite and your families,
It’s me again updating you on Fulcrum:
2004/2005 Challenges
You will be really pleased to know that things are well with us. Up to press Fifty-three Challenges with over One thousand participants!!!! I hear you say, how does he manage it and at his age why does he do it. I can answer that with ease. It’s because of you. You have inspired me to keep going. It can be hard and frustrating, especially when you don’t send in you passports on time!!!!! But every team though different are magical in its own way, and thank you for that!
Last year we ran 5 challenges. These were (in date order!):
Northern Ireland to Kumaon, India – Sponsored by NIBEP
Glasgow to Spiti Valley, India – Sponsored by City Council
Newcastle to Rumbuk, India – Sponsored by the Aimhigher Awards
Dr Challoner’s to Ladakh, India
East London to Rajasthan, India - Sponsored by the Jack Petchey Foundation
A Big Thank you to all our sponsors who we hope to continue working with in the Future.
2005/2006 Challenges
Next year we are hoping to expand to eight challenges.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has funded part of our Village Community Project in Rajasthan. We are going to build a school for forty-one little children from scratch. I visited their school earlier this year and was amazed to find it was two bundles of hay tied together and shaped to make one small room. No books, pencils etc, etc, you know, you’ve seen it yourself. The first phase was completed by East London.
Office Staff
Alex Pay, West Midlands to Botswana 1999, has joined us from University as our Challenge Manager. She keeps us on our toes, treats us like old men and tolerates our befuddled thinking. Talk to her on the web. Anyone want to help her in their holidays?
The rest of the team are doing well also.
Challenge Team Leaders
Jilly Hamilton, Lucy Bale, and Alex have all been away with us as leaders. Any one else interested? Before applying please email us for our Leader/Doctor Job description and make sure you have read it! You must be 24+ years old and be prepared to work!!! That may be hard for some of you…… ! I bet that opens the floodgates but there will be free places in the future (2006) so why not get your name on the short list. I will need a CV please. This also applies to past Leaders and Doctors.
AS-Level Awards for Students
When taking part in Fulcrum nowadays you have to produce a portfolio of work on which you are judged and if you come up to the acceptable standard you would be awarded a Certificate of Personal Effectiveness equivalent to a AS level. We have almost one hundred awards so far.
10 Year Anniversary
Fulcrum will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary next year (2006) Alex is investigating the possibility of setting up a Black Tie event for all past participants to celebrate and raise funds. Anyone interested please will you contact her, not to just to go, but to help set it up.
Village Community Projects
So many of you were reduced to tears by the poor village children in whichever country you visited. I likewise have been deeply effected by the plight of them and so have made our visits more worthwhile by spending five or six days in the village carrying out meaningful work on behalf of the children. In fact we now rebuild, where appropriate, the school, furnishing it thought out and provide books etc. in abundance. We call it our Village Community Project. It truly is amazing what has been achieved this year, but it does cost extra money.
It costs £1000 to carryout a full refurbishment/building on one school. I need to raise £6,000 this year to complete the expected works. Can you help?
But I need MORE ££££££££££££’s. If you can help, and I do realise that you guys suffer with the tight finances of students, please send a cheque made out to “Fulcrum”. Put you name and VCP on the back, it doesn’t matter how small! I will update you with information of the work on the web.
PAST FULCRUMITES
We have heard from so many you this year. It is great to catch up with your news. In particular I would like to mention:
Feargal O’Loan, N.Ireland to India 1995, has climbed the six major peaks in UK and Ireland this year and has raised money for us. He was on the very first Challenge. Oh and he got married in October 2004. Congratulations!!!
Callum Irving whose been playing professional rugby league in France (brave man) is hoping to run the London Marathon for Fulcrum next year.
Sadly Phillipa Millican’s Grandfather passed away but the family most generously gave the funeral collection to the Newcastle project in his memory. A huge thank to the family.
Let us know what the rest of you are up to, Except for Jamie, I know what he is up to, a glorified pub crawl around Scotland!
Namaste, Namascar, Jullay, Tashideleck, Ram Ram, Patrutru Bie, Sopa, Jambo, Salam Alaikum, etc etc etc,
And finally, your parents saved our lives last year when we really were on our uppers and a BIG THANK YOU to them.
JOHN HUNT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
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January 2005 Newsletter