A share of £4,000 has been awarded to three local charities by a group of civic minded young leaders.

These young leaders have awarded the monies to local charities in Fermanagh to help tackle domestic abuse and poverty.

Fermanagh Young Leaders Forum has been funded by the National Lottery and has been running for three years in order to give funding to the local community through yearly grants of £4,000.

This year the group has taken complete initiative to lead their own research, planning and decision making. The Hope Grant has been created to help the ongoing cost of living crisis and the ever increasing issue of domestic abuse in Northern Ireland.

The team, made up of students from a number of local schools, has been meeting to share their skills and work together while gaining knowledge of the grant making process.

Cancer Connect NI was awarded £1,500 of which £800 will be used on complementary therapies to help reduce the side effects of cancer treatments. They will also use £700 to buy multiple food and fuel vouchers to support cancer patients.

Women’s Aid was awarded £1,500 from the group which will be used to purchase many food and fuel vouchers. These will be used by victims of domestic abuse who need help with the financial pressures they face.

Finally, Enniskillen Food Bank have been granted £1,000, £800 of which will be used to provide food and fuel vouchers to those in need and £200 will be used to create a cook book of low cost recipes so people can save money on meals.

Bethany England one of the young grant makers said: “This has been an intense process but I have definitely developed my leadership skills. I’d like to wish a big thank you to the Fermanagh trust for this valuable opportunity and for the encouragement throughout the process.”

Ava McNally said: “I have been delighted to be part of a group that will have such a big effect on individuals as well as improving my research skills.”

Niamh Keane explained “We’re all proud to support these great projects and look forward to seeing the positive impact they make."

Sonya Johnston from Fermanagh Trust added: "There were a large number of applications from a variety of organisations from across the county. After a thorough process and much deliberation by the young people, we are delighted to award grants to three projects who they believe will make the most meaningful difference to the lives of young people under their chosen priorities. "Ultimately, our process is about listening to young people who are passionate about making a difference and providing them with the knowledge, skills and resources they need to develop their thoughts and ideas into reality. It’s our belief that these young people will be our future leaders, it is important that we support them to fulfil their potential and help them contribute to improving the lives of others."

Fermanagh Young Leaders Forum will open for applications again later in the year, so aspiring young leaders should keep informed.