Manager’s legacy offers a helping hand to young people

Young people from Irlam and Cadishead are being encouraged to apply for a grant from a fund set as a ‘legacy’ by a deceased Talk Talk Telecom Group senior manager.

The fund was set up by Chris Stocks and wife Ruth in 2014, after he found out he had terminal bowel cancer, with the aim of supporting young people in the area who wish to start their careers via an apprenticeship or in a self-employed capacity.

So far, several young people have benefitted and joint administrators of the Chris Stocks’ Fund, Ruth Stocks and HDT, want to encourage more applications.

Chris left school to become an apprentice. He worked in the Irlam area for more than 30 years, first for Thurnall Engineering, then Opal Telecom and ultimately for Talk Talk, where he rose to be a strategic director. He passed away in March 2015, aged 53.

Ruth Stocks said: “Unfortunately, Chris’s life was cut short by cancer before he had the chance to leave the kind of mark on the world that he would have wanted. He saw the fund as his legacy.” 

“Chris was passionate about helping young people. He felt a strong connection with the Irlam and Cadishead area and wanted to support the Hamilton Davies Trust.”

“Chris wanted school leavers to know that you don’t need an academic background to be successful. So we set up the fund to help those who wish to start their careers via an apprenticeship or in a self-employed capacity to get a foot on the career ladder. I really want the fund to work and to fulfil what we set out to achieve.”

The Chris Stocks Fund offers financial support to young people, aged between 16 and 25 years, living in Irlam and Cadishead who are in traditional apprenticeships or vocational training, starting work or have a business idea. Grants are available for a wide-range of work-related costs, including equipment, kit, clothing, travel and training.

The fund has helped several young people so far with various expenses including: a beauty course at Irlam and Cadishead College; a football apprenticeship at Altrincham FC; a tattoo apprenticeship, a driving licence for a Wild Life Trust employee and also training costs for climbing instructors at the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

Mandy Coleman, Consultant General Manager of HDT, said: “If you are a young person who needs the kind of help the fund offers and if you have genuine ability, drive and enthusiasm and need a little financial help to start your career, we want to hear from you.”

“Many young people struggle with the transition from school into work because of a lack of financial resources. This fund can make a huge difference just when it matters most.”

“Setting up this fund was a generous gesture by Chris. We want it to help as many local young people as possible.”

For further information or to apply visit our Chris Stocks page.

Posted on: 4th November 2016