Jason Downer

Jason Downer Memorial Fund

It is with great sadness that we have to report to you that Jason Downer born on 27th August 1970 died in August 2006, shortly before his 36th birthday.

Jason was sailing with two friends in the English Channel when their yacht “Ouzo” was involved in a fatal accident killing all on board.

Jason was Head of Trade Finance at Europe Arab Bank plc in London and travelled frequently between London and the Middle East but still found time in his busy schedule to support a small charity like BELS.

He used his background in financial analysis and business development within investment banking, corporate banking and industry together with his experience of EdExcel vocational training and previous charitable work with the Cranfield Trust to work with BELS. Despite the demands of his job he took on the role of Deputy Chair and Treasurer, helping and advising BELS to structure its organisation and finances to provide our young beneficiaries with those opportunities they had missed in order to help them find appropriate employment or the right course of study.

Jason strongly believed that the young people that we work with, who in many cases have had a difficult start in life, deserved every chance to develop their skills, knowledge and self confidence to achieve their full potential.

Jason was a reliable, conscientious young man with a lot of energy and enthusiasm for life and a brilliant role model for our young people. His guidance, energy and enthusiasm will be irreplaceable.

We are very pleased to have been approached by a number of Jason’s friends and family with requests to set up a Memorial Fund in honour of his commitment to this Charity.

It is hoped that the Jason Downer Memorial Fund will be used to facilitate the development and understanding of young people especially in the areas of business and finance. This fund will ensure that Jason, and the work he did, will be remembered by all of us for many years to come.

The trustees, staff, partners and beneficiaries of BELS have expressed their sadness at his passing.

It has been recommended that all donations to BELS in respect of Jason’s memory be placed in a fund and used to award an annual prize or prizes to young people participating in BELS’ projects.

If you would like to make a donation to the Jason Downer Memorial Fund please send your cheque, made payable to Business Education London South, to:

Jason Downer Memorial Fund Business & Education in London South Third Floor, Surrey House Scarbrook Road Croydon, CR0-1SQ

Or please make an on-line bank Giro transfer to:

Business & Education in London South Co-operative Bank Sort Code: 08 – 92 – 99 Account No: 65078378 Reference: Jason Downer

If you are a tax payer please take a moment to complete and sign the Gift Aid Form and return to us with your cheque. Please note that this will increase your donation by 28% thanks to the Inland Revenue.

Please accept our gratitude for your donation and our assurance that these funds will be used to promote the development and learning of the young people Jason worked so hard to help.

Comments:

"He was such a very decent man. We truly appreciate his dedication to BELS, his contributions of time, energy, persistence in those early days, and his genuine interest in the young people we work with." Trustee

"How very sad, our thoughts are with his family and friends." EBP Manager

"Jason was such a really nice person – he was always cheerful, full of enthusiasm and willing to give up his time without complaint. It was a privilege to work with him." Trustee

If you would like to leave any comments in memory of Mr Jason Downer please email them to Andrew Garlick at andrewgarlick@bels.org.uk and he will organise the uploading of these.

Jason Downer Award for Financial Excellence

It is with great pleasure that we can announce the winner of the first annual Jason Downer Award for Financial Excellence.

Last Friday, 8th May, Tiffin Girls School won both the Young Enterprise Company Programme South London Finals and the Jason Downer Award for Financial Excellence for the Best Company Report with their new company “Avenue”. The Finals, held at Croydon Town Hall were supported by over two hundred guests comprising of pupils, teachers, parents, business volunteers and mentors to the teams. These guests together with the Mayors of the Royal borough of Kingston upon Thames and the London Borough of Bromley, Edward Maddox from the Europe Arab Bank, and the Judges, Susan Shaw from South London Business, Andrew Mosby from Menzies, Chris Fogg from Connect London and Cliff Vanstone from the John Lewis Partnership were welcomed by the Deputy Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Susan Winborn and the Chair of Young Enterprise South London, Lynne Ramsay.

Eight teams competed for the prestigious Young Enterprise Awards with prizes being awarded to:

“Reflex” from St Phillips School, Chessington for the Team Award with brilliant business ideas producing jewellery, mobile phone fobs and football coaching.

“Ellipsis” from Coombe Sixth Form for the Best Presentation of their ‘Q’ Cards.

“Hera” from Newstead Woods and Bullers Wood schools had the most innovative product with their Credit Crunch Cook Book.

“Choice” from Wallington Girls High School for the Best Trade Stand displaying their booklet, The Love Survival Guide.

“Avenue” from Tiffin Girls School for “Memo-Me” a multi-purpose, reuse-able, plastic clippable frame that makes note taking easier.

As well as being the overall winners who will be representing South London at the London Finals being held in June “Avenue” received a new award, The Jason Downer Award for Financial Excellence.

Jason Downer an employee of the Europe Arab Bank in London drowned in 2006 after his yacht was struck in the Channel by a large P & O Ferry, leaving Jason and his two friends, James Meaby and Rupert Saunders floating in the cold waters until they died of hypothermia with their bodies found three days later.

Following his death the Bank and its employees together with Jason’s friends clubbed together to form a small Memorial Fund so that Jason would be able to continue his work encouraging young people to improve their understanding of business and finance.

Jason as a Trustee of Business & Education London South (BELS) worked closely with Young Enterprise in supporting young people make the sometimes difficult move from education to employment and improving their employability.

Jason’s mother Rosemary and his step-father David Wardley attended the ceremony in which the award was made for the first time. Mrs Downer-Wardley said “I am amazed at the high standard of innovation and confidence from all these young people. Choosing the winner must have been very difficult. They have all done so well. I know Jason would have been delighted to have supported this event.”

The event was supported and attended by Young Enterprise and BELS staff. The organiser Mike O’Donnell said:” I worked closely with Jason for a number of years in setting up BELS. I am delighted that they have chosen Young Enterprise South London to support with Jason’s memorial”.