A FORMER St Mary’s student has been appointed as a trustee to the Menston based Bambisanani Partnership.

Brogan O’Connor has been involved in the work of the partnership ever since visiting South Africa as a schoolgirl. Her work there was recognised when she received the prestigious Sbonelo Magwaza Award for Outstanding Leadership.

Whilst at Northumbria University Brogan returned to Africa several times both as a volunteer and leader of volunteers. At university she held key leadership roles including being elected student sport president and board member of the Northumbria Sport Foundation. She became the youngest student sport participation manager ever appointed at the university.

She said:”The Bambisanani Partnership is a charity that I support wholeheartedly, ever since my first visit to South Africa as a St. Mary’s student in 2011. In the nine years since my visit to Mnyakanya I have remained in touch with the partnership and followed its work closely. I continue to be impressed and inspired by the amazing work being done between two brilliant communities. I couldn’t be more proud to be appointed as a Trustee and I am looking forward to working closely with the rest of the team to continue the amazing work the partnership does day in day out.”

Bambisanani founder and Chairman, David Geldart said:“Quite simply Brogan is an outstanding young woman who will bring much to the Partnership. Her exceptional track record in international volunteering, sport development and charity governance will enable her to make a significant contribution to the team who are committed to extending our work in one of South Africa’s most deprived areas using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership. Brogan is both an outstanding leader and team player; her experience, ability and enthusiasm will enable us to have even greater impact in the future.”

Brogan will join existing board members David Geldart, Darren Beardsley, Barbara Pounder, Andrew Lockwood and David Thorpe.