As 2011 is rapidly drawing to a close I want to take a few minutes to reflect on what a great year this has been for BRIT. A number of exciting changes and opportunities have developed and I feel excited about how far we have come this year. My thanks to everyone for making 2011 a GREAT BRIT year!
Our list of Charity Advisors continues to grow and we now have over 50 Charity Chief Executives that have stepped forward, committing to work with BRIT. I spend a great deal of time in conversation with our Charity Advisors, listening to their experiences, insight, and feedback. They are incredibly generous with their time, knowledge, skills and information. I feel fortunate to have such a wonderful group of dedicated individuals that give BRIT and I such great advice.
Along with our growing group of advisors are our inspirational BRIT Mentors. This dynamic group of people continue to amaze me every day. As individuals they are involved in all aspects of British life, including business, sports, media, and the arts. Each one of them is at the top of their field and has a unique and powerful story to share with our BRIT Young People facing Adversity. The fact that they are willing to give of their time each year to pass on inspiration is just one more indicator that they are amazing inspirational mentors.
On a personal note I continue in my own growth as a Founder and non-paid CEO. Every day I learn something new about the young people and charities that BRIT supports. People are so kind and share their stories and experiences with me as a teaching tool. I am constantly amazed, sometimes saddened and always reenergized by the stories told to me. As I learn more, it makes me even more committed to getting the BRIT Centre open as soon as possible to support our young people and charities.
Finally, I have been dropping hints the last few weeks in the blog and on twitter about the BRIT 2012 Challenge. Finding just the right challenge to energize and enthuse everyone (youth, the public, businesses and charities) is not easy, but I know we’ve got this right. The BRIT 2012 Challenge is not about me or about a challenge that only a few can attempt because of costs or lack of opportunity. I have wanted a challenge that individuals or teams can give a go and whilst they are doing it, can raise funds for any charity they chose. I have created a new challenge that everyone in Great Britain and Northern Ireland can participate in, especially schools, colleges and universities. Businesses can also take part and take a BRIT Pledge to help build or equip the BRIT Centre of Inspiration.
I’ll be discussing it on BBC Breakfast on the 28th December and we will be launching the challenge early in January. I have written to the Prime Minister and every single one of the 650 MPs across Great Britain and Northern Ireland to ask for their support. I will write to every County Council Chairman and Lord Lieutenant for their support and have met with numerous Ministers who have pledged their assistance and support.
The BRIT 2012 Challenge is free to join. Every School, College, University and Charity will go on the BRIT Map and I am working with BT so we can use BT My Donate so 100% of donations go directly to charities.
One thing I do need to say is that we have no funding for the Challenge or for my challenge of walking 2012 miles in 2012. BRIT currently survives on kindness, goodwill and gifted support. We need the British Media to grasp this opportunity to enthuse every school, college and university to register for the BRIT 2012 Challenge (not to fundraise) but purely to acknowledge and think about the young people who face difficult and dark times.
I hope every club, society and association takes part. I hope individuals and teams across Great Britain take part. It’s a challenge that can complete the trinity for next year; Her Majesty The Queen’s Jubilee, London 2012 and the BRIT 2012 Challenge. I believe and I hope you will too.
Everything is possible!
Best wishes for a Happy New Year and see you at the BRIT 2012 Challenge!
Phil