Jason Downer Award given to Avenue

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”.