BUSINESS leaders have launched a new project in Hull aimed at inspiring young people to give back to their communities.
Industry experts from across the city have teamed up to motivate schoolchildren to achieve more.
Gerard Toplass, managing director of Melton furniture manufacturer and office stationary specialists, Claughtons Office Equipment Limited, is the brainchild behind the Above And Beyond project.
He said: "We aim to captivate the city's young people and help drive towards fresh goals and attainments that will add value to them today and for many years to come.
"As business leaders we have a responsibility to give something back and hopefully inspire future generations to create their own businesses and understand the benefits of achievement and attainment.
"We have always wanted the scheme to be inclusive, so there is no benchmark of achievement; it is about individuals who go that extra mile.
"A large part of what we want to do is to demonstrate the business community's commitment to giving back and leading by example and offer the students and the schools a comprehensive support platform so they can make a difference themselves."
The initiative focuses on three aspects; Ticket 2 Learn, Make A Difference and Getting It Done.
Ticket 2 Learn offers incentives to young people, including tickets to see sports teams.
Make A Difference focuses on helping pupils have a positive impact in their community by providing support and assistance to residents.
The final aspect of the project, Getting It Done, involves businesses giving up time, expertise and knowledge to help schools deliver different initiatives.
Mr Toplass said: "All the businesses involved have agreed to give up their time and expertise to help, whatever we can do to help we will.
"The more schools become involved, the better the project will become, so we want other schools, businesses and charities to get on board."
The project combines East Yorkshire businesses Claughtons, Mercury, IT@Spectrum, Kingston Communications and Vivergo Fuels.
It is currently funded by the businesses to support a pilot group of schools in Hull, but organisers are hoping to expand the initiative across Hull and the East Riding in the future.
Phase one of the project is being delivered from now until July next year.
