Turning Heartbreak Into Hope
After delivering a powerful pitch in front of hundreds at the Institute of Directors Women in Leadership Conference, Coleraine charity CEO Yasmin Geddis secured vital funding for The Zachary Geddis Trust — helping the organisation continue its life-changing mental health work across the Causeway Coast and Glens.
When Yasmin Geddis stepped onto the stage at the Institute of Directors Women in Leadership Conference in Belfast, she was not just representing a charity. She was carrying a story of personal loss and the urgent need for better mental health support in Northern Ireland.
By the end of the event, she had won.
The Coleraine-based CEO of The Zachary Geddis Trust was recently named the winner of the Northern Ireland Pitch Perfect competition, securing £4,000 in funding for the charity after delivering a powerful pitch in front of around 500 people at the Crowne Plaza.
Her presentation earned an impressive 47 per cent of the vote, beating strong competition from a range of other female-led organisations and giving the trust a significant boost as it continues to support people in crisis across the Causeway Coast and Glens.
For Yasmin, the moment was both emotional and unexpected.
“I was honoured to represent our charity, The Zachary Geddis Trust, in the Institute of Directors Women in Leadership Pitch Perfect competition,” she said.
“It was a huge shock and thrill when The Zachary Geddis Trust were named as the winners, securing £4,000 for our organisation.
“I was delighted by the result, which displayed the faith and confidence placed by the people of Northern Ireland in our organisation to deliver essential mental health services in our community.
“This much-needed funding boost is vital in supporting our core services and in the delivery of additional programmes which positively impact our service users and meet the community’s growing needs in mental health provision.
“I would like to thank everyone who voted for our pitch, wished us luck and to all those who support and follow the work of The Zachary Geddis Trust.”
While the award itself is a proud moment, the real significance lies in what the funding will make possible.
The Zachary Geddis Trust was launched in October 2017 on what would have been Zachary’s 21st birthday. Following Zachary’s death by suicide, the trust was established in his memory to help others struggling with their mental health reach out and access support in a safe, compassionate environment.
Since then, it has become a vital first point of contact for immediate mental health services across the Causeway Coast and Glens, supporting around 150 people every week through counselling, mentoring and therapy groups.
That level of demand speaks volumes about the need for accessible community-based mental health support, and why every funding boost matters.
The annual Institute of Directors Women in Leadership Conference celebrates women in leadership and brings together inspiring female leaders from across Northern Ireland. Yasmin faced stiff competition from other female-led organisations including Last Say Ltd., Bloom Band, Kitchen Sync and CAST Planning, making the win all the more meaningful.
For The Zachary Geddis Trust, this was more than a successful pitch. It was a moment of recognition for the work being done every day behind the scenes — often quietly, often urgently, and always with compassion.
And for the families and individuals who rely on the charity’s services, it is another reminder that from unimaginable heartbreak, something powerful continues to grow: hope, support and the chance for someone to ask for help when they need it most.
For more information about The Zachary Geddis Trust, email info@zgbtst.org, visit www.zgbtst.org, or follow the organisation on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
