By Jane Corscadden
Copyright belfastlive
A shop owner in West Belfast has launched a giveaway to help give local young people a helping hand kick-starting their business and community ideas. Michael McGovern from McGovern’s Newsagent on Cavendish Street has launched a social media giveaway to give £500 to a young person aged between 16 and 24 to start a small business or community idea, or to put towards an initiative already in the works. It comes after shoppers at the newsagents raised nearly £250 over the last few months for their charity box, with Michael now doubling that amount to give back to the community. Speaking to Belfast Live about what sparked the giveaway idea, Michael said: “I would say West Belfast is one of the neglected areas of the city, there is a lot of deprivation. “Some young people in the area wouldn’t have the opportunities or same access to start a small business, so if this in any way gives them an incentive, it’s only a good thing. “I think sometimes people need a little push to get something going, and if I can help in any way I’m happy to. It can be just an idea for a business or community project that they’ve been thinking about but haven’t yet taken that leap. “People can have an idea in the back of their head, they’ve maybe put these things off, then the next thing you know it’s two or three years down the line and you haven’t done it, but could have. Sometimes it’s better to give it a go, and if you don’t give it a go, you’ll never know.” For any young person interested but worried about taking the leap, Michael said: “If you have a business or community idea you’ve been thinking of doing for a little while, or maybe you’re just trying to start off and need a bit of a push – you just have to go for it. I think some people can be afraid to take that step, but they need a bit of a push sometimes.” To enter the giveaway, anyone interested can post underneath McGovern’s Newsagent’s Facebook post here , or send them a direct message to be entered into the draw later this week. For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
