New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards 2022: A&T-sponsored charity award shortlist – Olivia Inspires

FOR Olivia Burt’s parents the greatest motivation for founding the charity in her name was to “make her proud of us”.

Her father Nigel revealed: “That is our everything really. The truth is that if Olivia was here she would be doing the sort of things the charity does.

“She was always doing something for someone else.

"We like to think that Olivia is looking down and is so happy with how many youngsters we have helped in her name.”

Olivia Inspires was set up three years ago after the Burts' beloved daughter was killed at the age of 20 in a tragic accident in Durham in 2018 where she was studying at university.

It aids underprivileged youngsters in the New Forest to develop their potential in science, technology, engineering and maths – the STEM subjects.

Since its inception it has spent over £70,000 on helping 400 young people.

The charity has now been shortlisted in New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards for the A&T-sponsored best charity, social enterprise or community interest company.

Nigel, from Milford, said he and wife Paula were “absolutely thrilled” by the nomination.

He said the circumstances "which have even led to us being in the awards are just horrendous” but that the charity was their way of trying to "bring something positive out of the situation”.

Talking about its aims, Nigel explained: “The New Forest is seen as such an affluent area, but there are areas of real deprivation.

“A lot of youngsters are effectively barred from doing things which might cost a small amount but their families simply do not have it.

“The sad thing is that those who are least able to access these activities are the ones who would benefit the most as they teach such great life skills.

“It is so wrong that so many simply could never dream of doing things that others from more affluent families are able to.”

To this end, the charity is funding 20 youngsters from Applemore College in Dibden Purlieu to take part in a Duke of Edinburgh Award.

In partnership with Hamble's Rona Sailing Project, which teaches people aged 14-25 how to sail, it is also enabling 150 teenagers from New Milton’s Eaglewood School to undertake a five-day voyage learning everything from navigation to hoisting sails.

Nigel said: "“It will be really challenging but so rewarding."

The sailing project is extra special for the Burts because the sport was one of their daughter's great loves.

Nigel said he is proud the charity has gone from “strength to strength” but at times running it can be “bitter sweet.”

“You meet these great youngsters and it is amazing what we are doing to help them," he said.

“But the young people are going on in life, and Olivia is not.

“I think one of the reasons the charity has got such great support is because what happened to Olivia sent a shiver down the spine of many parents – 'there but for the grace of God that could be us'."

He added: "The support means so much to us as the charity is to honour our daughter's memory and it helps us do that."

Visit www.oliviainspires.org.uk

The winners of the New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards will be announced at a ceremony at Brockenhurst College on 1st December.