Florist backs launch of World Youth Organisation

Grey Court Florists, in Kempston, agreed to back the World Youth Organisation (WYO) after owner Kelly Jeffries got her first break on leaving school.

She said: “I am a big believer in this charity, which helps support young people and give them opportunities.

“I was given an amazing opportunity by the florists’ previous owners, Keith and Pat Lilley, when I was just 15.

“I did work experience here from Hastingbury Upper School, and they offered me a job the day after. I always had a love of art and creativity and they saw something in me.”

She added: “Not everyone is that lucky, and that is why the World Youth Organisation is so important.

“If you don’t get that opportunity, you might need an organisation like this to help you.”

The WYO was founded by 17-year-old CEO Keiran Goodwin, who contacted Kelly through twitter after she did some high-profile events in London.

She said: “Kieran asked if I would be a sponsor and do the flowers for the charity’s official launch at the Houses of Parliament on Monday (January 11).

“While I wasn’t able to see pictures of the room Kieran would be using, I created two large arrangements to go either side of the speakers.

“As it is a youth organisation, I made them modern and funky, using the colours of the website, red and lime green.”

The WYO’s objectives are to act as a resource for young people up to the age of 25 by providing advice and assistance, and organising programmes of physical, educational and other activities as a means of:

- advancing in life and helping young people by developing their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals

- advancing education

-relieving unemployment

For more information, go to www.worldyo.org