A charity set up to inspire young people in memory of Shropshire teenager Georgia Williams has been signed up to a county business network by a firm of freight handlers.
As a patron of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, Telford based Global Freight has gifted the Georgia Williams Trust full member of the business organisation for the next year.
It means the charity will be able to take advantage of exclusive membership benefits and link up with other Shropshire businesses that might want to work with it.
Global Freight has also handed over a £300 donation to the trust, which was raised during a quiz at the Chamber’s annual Patrons’ Dinner.
The Georgia Williams Trust was set up in 2013 to provide a lasting long-term legacy following the 17-year- old’s murder. It aims to support other young people in her community to access adventure, outdoor activities, and volunteering opportunities.
Managing Director of Global Freight, Nicole Gunter, serves on the board of the Chamber and explained why Global Freight had chosen to support the charity.
She said: “The work the trust is doing to inspire and empower young people in Telford is fantastic.
“I know how beneficial membership of the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce can be but I understand that it can often be something charities can’t prioritise.
“When we realised we could help the trust tap into the further business expertise and knowledge of the Chamber, we knew we had to make it our chosen charity and grant it a free membership.
“We are very excited about being able to unlock access to the Shropshire business community for the trust and we look forward to working with them more in the future.”
Recent activity by the trust has included funding first aid training for students at Georgia’s former school Ercall Wood Technology College and a grant for Telford kickboxer Adam Summers to compete in Croatia.
It has recently taken ownership of a plane that Georgia helped to build, which will be used to give young people a taste of life in the skies, and Nicole recently enjoyed a short flight in the aircraft.
Georgia’s mother Lynnette said: “We are indebted to Global Freight for granting us this free membership as it will open so many doors to other businesses in Shropshire that may be able to help us.
“We have lots of exciting plans in the offing and are looking forward to using our Chamber membership to its full advantage.”
For more information go to www.facebook.com/TheGeorgiaWilliamsTrust/ or follow @RememberGeorgia on Twitter.