Friends' School Lisburn's 'ReBorn' Team Honoured at Blast Off Programme Award Ceremony
Yesterday, Friends' School Lisburn celebrated the success of its student team, 'ReBorn,' as they were presented with the trophy for winning the Blast Off Programme competition. The award ceremony took place at the school, with Alderman Amanda Grehan, Chair of Regeneration & Growth at Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, and Brian Sofley, Managing Director of ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions Door Group UK & Ireland, in attendance to present the award.
The Blast Off Programme, part of the Go Succeed initiative by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and delivered by Young Enterprise NI, has been engaging post-primary schools across the region in recent months. Teams from Dundonald High School, Friends' School Lisburn, and Wallace High School participated in a Dragons' Den-style pitching event held in March at The House of Vic-Ryn. The 'ReBorn' team from Friends' School Lisburn emerged as the winners with their innovative business idea of crafting memory blankets from cherished, outgrown baby clothes, promoting sustainability while preserving sentimental value.
Reflecting on his experience as a judge during the pitching event, Brian Sofley remarked, "I was definitely impressed by ReBorn's innovative idea of making memory blankets from old baby clothes as it combined both emotional value with sustainability. By tapping into the sentimental attachment parents have for their children's early years and the current trends of reducing waste, the upcycled product would become a personalised, usable keepsake for which I expect their potential customers may even be prepared to pay a premium."
He further added, "I certainly found the experience very rewarding. It is inspiring to see the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit from the students who participated. I was also really impressed by their courage to stand in front of a panel of dragons, and an audience, to make their pitch—it was certainly not something I would have done at that age!"
Alderman Amanda Grehan also commended all participating teams for their creativity, innovation, and business acumen, noting that the energy and enterprise displayed by the students were incredibly impressive.
Delivered by Young Enterprise NI, the Blast Off Programme has provided students with valuable feedback and insights from judges and mentors. This experience not only highlighted the immense talent within local schools but also fostered a culture of creativity and entrepreneurship that will positively impact the local economy for years to come.
Congratulations to all the participants and winners! Your success is a beacon of hope and inspiration for the community.