Local team reaches final of UK contest

Wade Training tutors, from from left, Mary Breen, Jacqueline McKeown and Neil Hoey with , retail, catering and business administration students who have reached the final of the Money for Life Challange. INLM13-101gc

The team of 17 to 19 year old students fought off competition from all over Northern Ireland at the ceremony in Stormont, Belfast with their innovative project to create recipes for low cost, tasty meals using healthy ingredients and highlight how savvy shopping can reduce costs and promote money management skills.

The project wowed a panel of esteemed judges, highlighting the team’s commitment to improve not only their own money management skills but also those of friends, families and their local community.

The Challenge is part of the Money for Life Programme which is one of the key ways in which Lloyds Banking Group will help deliver its public commitment to Help Northern Ireland Prosper.

Ryan McCallen, 18, from Food for Thought, said: “We cannot believe we have been named winners of the Money for Life Challenge in Northern Ireland. We’ve worked really hard as a large team to make our project a success and it’s amazing to have made it through to the UK Grand Final in London – we’re all so excited!”

David Rowsell, Head of the Money for Life Programme at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “We’re thrilled to announce Food for Thought as the overall winner of the Money for Life Challenge Northern Ireland final.

“All of the teams involved really impressed us with their innovative projects and should be very proud of how far they’ve come. Money for Life helps to raise financial awareness and boost effective money management in our communities, which in turn will help Northern Ireland prosper. Congratulations to all of the teams who have taken part, we look forward to seeing Food for Thought at the Grand Final on May 15.”

The team’s sponsor, Neil Hoey from Wade Training, said: “I’m so proud of Food for Thought and we’ve been bowled over by their commitment to make their project a success and work together as a team. They absolutely deserve their place at the Grand Final next month and we wish them luck!”

Food for Thought won £1,000 to donate to the charity of their choice and each member of the team will also receive £50 shopping vouchers. They will now head to the Money for Life Challenge Grand Final at the London Indigo O2 on May 15, to compete against teams from Scotland, England and Wales to claim the title of overall Money for Life Challenge winners 2014.