News
Gap Year Gift is not a commercial organisation and is in no way seeking to fund raise. The objective of this website is to propagate an idea to as wide an audience as possible.To date there has been considerable media interest in Ireland for the Gap Year Gift idea through Press articles and Radio interviews. Here is a selection of the coverage to date.
Age Action Magazine April 2008 - article
Cartan Finegan: hopes his scheme will inspire others to work in a developing worldWhen businessman Cartan Finegan sat down to sort out his financial affairs he thought long and hard about what his contribution to the world might be. He reasoned that his own children were well provided for and so he set aside a portion of his estate for his grandchildren, with one condition – after they finished their formal education, they would give six months of their professional skills to the poor of a developing country.
During his lengthy business career, Cartan spent a short period working as an EU election observer in Mozambique. It left a mark on him and indirectly resulted in him establishing the Gap Year Gift (GYG) initiative.
“I was keen to help develop a sense of social consciousness among my grandchildren, to encourage them to take an interest in the Third World -- and I believe this was the way we could encourage the next generation,” he explained.
Under his not-for-profit initiative people are encouraged to place a sum of money in trust and make a provision in their will for that money to be made available to their grandchild once they have completed their apprenticeship or education, on the condition that they work for at least six months with a recognised development agency in a developing country.
The grandparent appoints two trustees who enjoy a good rapport with the grandchild. They will manage the trust (ensuring his maintains its value) and evaluate the grandchild’s chosen assignment to ensure it meets the conditions of the bequest.
“If the grandchild decides not to undertake an assignment – or if there is money left over after winding up the trust – the trustees can select a suitable third world development agency to donate it to,” Mr Finegan explained.
He believes that grandparents should discuss their GYG plans with their family and legal advisor's.
When Mr Finegan discussed his plans with his friends, they wanted to do the same. So, with the help of a few friends, the Gap Year Gift initiative was born, with the aim of helping others to do the same.
-- Eamon Timmins
Radio interviews to date
1. South East RadioThe Ellen Lynch Show - Wednesday 20th February 2008
2. Dublin City FM
The Morning Show with Angela Douglas - Wednesday 20th February 2008
3. Highland Radio
The Shaun Doherty Show - Monday 25th February 2008
4. Dublin's Country 106.8 FM
The Morning Show with Lynsey Dolan - Monday 3rd March 2008
5. Clare FM
Morning Focus with John Cooke - Tuesday 4th March 2008
6. Cork's 103 FM
The Afternoon Show with Martina O' Donoghue -Tuesday 4th March 2008
7. Limerick's Live 95 FM
In the County with John Prendergast - Saturday 19th April 2008
8. Dublin City 103.2 FM
The Persuaders programme - Friday 16th May 2008.
How you can help...
If you like this idea and are open to others learning about it through your own communication network be it business or personal, why not contact us, we'd be delighted with the support.For press information please contact:
Carmody Smith PR
Aine Carmody / Niamh White
01 260 2664/ 0861741882
aine@carmodysmithpr.com
niamh@carmodysmithpr.com
Contact us today for more information on Gap Year Gift
