Business

Dungannon students book their place in London final of Young Enterprise 'UK Company of the Year'

Enlighten Hope with, from left, Carol Fitzsimons, Chief Executive Young Enterprise NI; host Pete Snodden; Michael McQuillan, Ulster University Business School; Cary Wilson, EY; and Ciaran Sheehan, chairman Young Enterprise NI.
Enlighten Hope with, from left, Carol Fitzsimons, Chief Executive Young Enterprise NI; host Pete Snodden; Michael McQuillan, Ulster University Business School; Cary Wilson, EY; and Ciaran Sheehan, chairman Young Enterprise NI. Enlighten Hope with, from left, Carol Fitzsimons, Chief Executive Young Enterprise NI; host Pete Snodden; Michael McQuillan, Ulster University Business School; Cary Wilson, EY; and Ciaran Sheehan, chairman Young Enterprise NI.

A GROUP of young publishers from St Patrick's College, Dungannon, who have sealed a deal to sell their short stories on the Amazon Kindle Store, have booked a place in the final of the Young Enterprise competition in London.

The students who make up 'Enlighten Hope' - writers and illustrators of a series of three short stories dealing with the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in a child-friendly way - will make their final bid for success at the Emirates Stadium in London on Thursday.

Named the Young Enterprise NI Company of the Year in May, the group will be competing against the best in Scotland, Wales and England to lift the overall 'UK Company of the Year' title.

The young entrepreneurs have recently expanded their product internationally, visiting publishers in Dublin and New York, as well as securing a deal to sell the books on Amazon Kindle and purchasing an ISBN (International Standard Book Number).

They have also secured a deal with Libraries NI to stock the books in six libraries across Northern Ireland including Belfast Central, Coleraine, Derry Central, Dungannon, Enniskillen and Portadown branches.

Enlighten Hope’s managing director, Iveta Liovinaite, said: "It has been such a privilege to participate in theYoung Enterprise Company Programme this year.

"This has been a life- changing experience for us all and our personal development in terms of business acumen, confidence, ability and self-belief has surpassed our wildest dreams."

Carol Fitzsimons, CEO of Young Enterprise described 'Enlighten Hope' as a "truly inspirational" group of young people.

"Their company programme journey began with us in September and their passion, work ethic and determination to succeed has impressed throughout," she said.

"They are a shining example of the workplace skills and confidence developed by young people through participation in our programme."