THE RIDGE FOUNDATION
Helping young people from challenging backgrounds
100% of proceeds go to the charity
68%
68% of children at Havant Academy come from a broken home
50%
50% never leave the local area
WHAT IS THE RIDGE FOUNDATION?
The Ridge Foundation was founded by entrepreneur Darren Ridge to help children and young people from challenging backgrounds to reach their full potential
The Foundation is inspired by Darren’s own experiences growing up on a council estate in a deprived area.
Having gone on to achieve success in the telecoms industry, he set up the Foundation to support projects that help young people from similar backgrounds to learn and thrive.
PROJECTS
The Ridge Foundation’s first intended project centres around Havant Academy, formerly Wakeford Comprehensive School, which Darren attended as a teenager.
Some of the young people who attend the academy face financial, family and societal challenges that can hold them back and prevent them from reaching their potential.
For example, in the Leigh Park area where the Academy is based, 68% of the students come from broken families and 50% of the children never leave the immediate area.
The Ridge Foundation aims to support the Academy in helping these young people to learn and flourish.
The Foundation is currently fundraising and working with the Academy to identify the most beneficial ways to use charitable donations to improve the education environment for its young people.
The first planned project is the refurbishment of an existing building on site and, reflecting Darren Ridge’s background in telecoms and technology, the Foundation is also supporting the Academy with funding for IT equipment.
DARREN RIDGE
Darren is one of Britain’s leading telecoms entrepreneurs, with a wealth of experience in building commercially successful brands.
Darren is one of Britain’s leading telecoms entrepreneurs, with a wealth of experience in building commercially successful brands. He was one of the first entrepreneurs to sell mobile phones on the high street – in 1987 he founded KJC, which grew to be the largest retail chain of its kind in the south.
In 2002 he founded Onecom, leading the business through organic growth and more than 25 strategic acquisitions to become the UK’s largest independent business communications provider, reaching a £200m turnover.
Darren continues to build and grow businesses, and lives in Hampshire with his wife Maria. He is a prolific supporter of charities, community events, schools, and other good causes regionally, across the UK and abroad.
DARREN RIDGE
Darren is one of Britain’s leading telecoms entrepreneurs, with a wealth of experience in building commercially successful brands.
Darren is one of Britain’s leading telecoms entrepreneurs, with a wealth of experience in building commercially successful brands. He was one of the first entrepreneurs to sell mobile phones on the high street – in 1987 he founded KJC, which grew to be the largest retail chain of its kind in the south.
In 2002 he founded Onecom, leading the business through organic growth and more than 25 strategic acquisitions to become the UK’s largest independent business communications provider, reaching a £200m turnover.
Darren continues to build and grow businesses, and lives in Hampshire with his wife Maria. He is a prolific supporter of charities, community events, schools, and other good causes regionally, across the UK and abroad.
Help to create an educational environment that gives as many children as possible, the chance to succeed in life
Donate below. 100% of proceeds go directly to the charity
