Ladder for London: Gala dinner raises thousands for apprentices

 
Lucy Young
6 September 2013

Leading business people pledged thousands of pounds to help London’s young people get a foot on the career ladder at a fundraising event.

City Gateway, the Evening Standard’s partner charity in the Ladder for London campaign, held its first gala dinner to mark the end of its most successful year. The capital’s top employers turned out to celebrate the success of hundreds of apprentices given the chance of paid work and training.

Lucy Young

Mark Fordham, 19, joined City Gateway after he left school following the death of his father.

In a moving speech at the black tie event at Grosvenor House he said: “My mum was diagnosed with cancer and I thought I was going to lose her. I didn’t know what to do with myself. A friend came up to me and said I am starting at City Gateway do you want to apply with me?” He completed his apprenticeship and now has a full time job at the London Legacy Development Corporation.

Lucy Young

Naz Hoque, 18, an apprentice at Dentons law firm, said securing the position was the “first time I truly believed in myself”.

Guests at the event, sponsored by Dentons, RBS and State Street, pledged more than £16,000 in an auction run by Lord Archer.

Lucy Young

Through Ladder for London, City Gateway has secured 953 new apprenticeships and 250 young people have started work in them.

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