Ten teenagers reach final of Money for Life

The team impressed a panel of judges to reach the national competition which aims to inspire better money management skills in local communities across the UK.

The team of 17 to 19 year old students from Wade Learning in Craigavon fought off competition from all over the north with their exciting project called Food for Thought.

The group set up their project in January, when they were awarded a £500 grant from Money for Life to put their ideas into action. Since then the group has created recipes for low cost, tasty meals using healthy ingredients and highlight how savvy shopping can reduce costs and promote money management skills.

Ryan McCallen, 18, from Food for Thought, said: “Being selected for this project helped equip me to work as part of a team. At school I was always working on my own when completing classwork and homework. I also feel that the Money for Life project provided me with extra motivation to complete my vocational qualification as I really enjoyed dealing with suppliers and learning about all the associated costs related to the project. It’s amazing to have made it through to the national final – we’re all so excited!”

Food for Thought will join four other teams from Northern Ireland whose projects have shown the Money for Life Challenge judges that they have what it takes to improve not just their own money management skills, but those of their friends, families and even their local communities.

The shortlist has been selected from 300 entries across the UK, to contest at the Northern Ireland final of the Money for Life Challenge at Stormont, Belfast on 10 April, where each team will present their money management projects to a panel of high-profile judges.

The winner of the Northern Ireland final will win £1,000 to donate to the charity of their choice and each member of the team will receive £50 shopping vouchers.