GASP Motor Project. Celebrating Twenty Years of Helping Young People Prepare for the World of Work.

Suzanne and I were delighted to join the Lord Lieutenant for the 20^th Anniversary celebrations of GASP Motor Project, held at Mercedes World. The Shrievalty have long been supporters of GASP, indeed Sarah Varah, the Founder of GASP was High Sheriff in 2008/9. Today the charity works with over 500 young people a year delivering over 1,400 teaching sessions at their workshop and via their three mobile vans. Their vision has been, and still is, to enable young people, often including those who are disaffected and marginalised, to maximise their potential, change behaviours, appreciate the value of team work and prepare for the world of work.

Sarah Varah, Ian Watson (Chair of Trustees) and Alex Thompson (CEO) led proceedings and in addition to the trustees, volunteers and supporters, teams of young people had been competing on the track in the morning, with Damon Hill in attendance, and it was clearly evident the fun they had and the spirit of teamwork shone through.

I was also delighted to be reacquainted with Robert Honey, who used to be a friend of my son at school and is an alumnus of GASP. He recounted how his time with GASP galvanised his interest in engineering and eventually led him to securing a masters degree apprenticeship with Rolls Royce. A real example of how GASP’s inspiring impact.

Visit GASP’s website HERE.