Boy Wonder on the Web - A web whiz, ace marketeer and an ethically minded business brain all by the age of 15!

Cartridges4charity is the simple but catchy name of this new project that recycles printer consumables and mobile phones in aid of three charities, set up by Fergus Ferrier, just 15 years old!

Fergus Ferrier, just 15 years old, is the latest teen prodigy to demonstrate his entrepreneurial skills on the web, but unlike others hes done it in the aid of charity.

Cartridges4charity is the simple but catchy name of Fergus new UK-wide web-based recycling scheme that recycles printer consumables and mobile phones in aid of three charities, to raise money and awareness for these - lesser known - needy causes.

By logging on to www.cartridges4charity.co.uk you would never know the brains behind the scheme were those of a 15 year old, the website itself is highly professional, and it doesnt end there. Fergus has not only created the website himself, but he has also set-up, implemented and managed the entire scheme from sourcing the companies that recycle the goods, to setting up the logistics of a Freepost address and free larger scale collection service, and not forgetting that all important ingredient - Promotion.

Fergus who attends Morrison's Academy in Crieff, Scotland explains: Previously I had been running a similar recycling project with a friend to raise some funds for our school. It seemed to go well, and I couldn't see a reason why it shouldn't be done on a larger scale to the benefit of some charities - as long as I could find time between my schoolwork and my social life, there was really nothing to stop me."

After the initial idea and some research to 'identify a gap in the market, Fergus began to put his plans into action. Over a two month period Fergus found a number of customers, drew up some basic contracts with the charities, purchased a freepost address and set up a free collection service in which to receive the cartridges - and then - finally, set up the cartridges4charity.co.uk web site, and began to promote the scheme online... And so it went from pipedream to a world-wide-web reality.

After only three months from concept to creation, Fergus is now dealing on a daily basis with donated cartridges and phones, replying to email enquiries, continuing to promote the project online, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the whole project.

'managing customers, stock, marketing, cashflow, logistics
But what makes a busy teenager turn such an idea into a reality? Fergus replies: There are a combination of reasons. First of all, it would provide me with invaluable experience of setting up and running, what really could be called a 'business' - managing customers, stock, marketing, cashflow, logistics and so on. Hopefully, these skills will also be useful in other areas of life in the future - and it will look good on my CV. And secondly, I suppose it was a personal goal. There's a certain amount of enjoyment that comes from being able to set-up and operate a successful project like this (mostly) on your own, and you get a lot of respect from other people."

'People said that no charity would ever trust a 15-year-old and that no-one would ever want to send in their cartridges or phones.

Another huge motivational factor for Fergus came from the challenge of people telling him that he just wouldn't be able to do it. He retorts: People said that no charity would ever trust a 15-year-old and that no-one would ever want to send in their cartridges or phones. But I knew I could do it, and now it is up and running and people are happily sending in their cartridges and phones."

Lisa Waumsley, Marketing Fundraiser for charity SeeAbility, adds: When Fergus told me he was only 15 years of age I did question the idea, but after having spoken to Fergus on the phone he had an extremely mature and professional manner for such a young age, I thought, well if he is willing to raise funds for SeeAbility, it is only fair that we put a little faith in him. From each step of the way from setting up agreements to construction of the website - he has far surpassed every expectation I had, and weve already received our first cheque, which will help us to continue our greatly needed services to those who are blind or partially sighted with additional disabilities."

Virtually all of the work involved in creating the scheme has been achieved by Fergus, with some proof-reading, encouragement and cashflow support from his Mum and her partner. So how did he go about turning his idea into reality? Fergus enlightens: The first step was to carefully analyse what I intended to do and to contact a number of charities to see if they would be interested in benefiting from the scheme. Eventually, I managed to whittle down the overwhelming list of positive responses to just three - SeeAbility, the Andy Cole Children's Foundation, and Cardiac Risk in the Young.

He continues: Most people like to donate to large charities, but this means that smaller charities who might work with a smaller, but deserving, group of needy people often get overlooked and they do not receive the backing they need. I knew that there were many of the larger charities out there running printer cartridge and mobile phone recycling programmes, but I thought that I might be able to help raise some much need funds and awareness for such smaller charities. I received literally tens of positive enquiries and responses from interested charities, and it was certainly very difficult to cut down the list to only three."

Now that cartridges4charity.co.uk is up and running the only thing Fergus really wants is for everything to continue to go as well as they have done up until now. Fergus adds: Our donor-base is growing daily, more people hear about the web site and we seem to be getting more and more cartridges in each week. All of the money raised, minus a small administration charge of 35p per cartridge, is donated and split equally between the three charities. Things are certainly looking good at the moment and hopefully the project will continue to grow over the coming months."

And for the future? Fergus claims: I have big visions of persuading as many people as possible to recycle their cartridges and old phones to help charity - possibly even expanding into other countries. Call me optimistic, but this certainly seems like a workable fund-raising initiative. I'll have to do it quickly though - there's university to worry about in a couple of years!"

This is an excellent scheme, set up by an exceptional young man. If you would like to help these charities as well as the environment, log on to www.cartridges4charity.co.uk and see how easy it is to make a big difference for such little effort. Whats more it doesnt cost you a penny!

Notes for the Editor:

Issued by SeeAbility, for further information
please contact:

Lisa Waumsley                David Ireland
01372 755 011               01372 7550019

SeeAbility, The Royal School for the Blind, is a registered charity, which has for over 200 years provided residential care and training for people who are blind or partially sighted and have other disabilities from birth, accident or illness. SeeAbility offers a range of services including long term quality care and development training, enabling individuals to attain greater independence and to realise their full potential.

SeeAbilitys Head Office is based in Epsom, Surrey and residential / training units are:
Day and Residential Centre, Reigate Road, Leatherhead, Surrey. Woodlands, Horley, Surrey. Fiennes House, Wellington, Somerset. Fairways, Fleet, Hampshire. Denecroft, Guildford, Surrey. Barclay House, Seaford, East Sussex. Heather House, Tadley, Hampshire.

Registered Charity Number: 255913 www.seeability.org