Family behind the Yasmine McClory Foundation, of Sutton on Trent, look back at their “transformative” first year

One year on after launching a Community Interest Company in their much-loved daughter and sister’s name, the family behind the Yasmine McClory Foundation have looked back at their “transformative” first year.

Yasmine, of Sutton on Trent, was just 20 years old when she died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism in February 2024, likely the result of her being ten weeks pregnant.

The Yasmine McClory Foundation was founded by her parents Annelie and Jason, and siblings Jess and Ev in May last year to keep Yasmine and her legacy alive by supporting causes she was passionate about, including food poverty, LGBTQ+ mental health, children with learning disabilities, and medical conditions affecting quality of life.

The CIC has now marked its first anniversary after a busy year of community-driven fundraising, honouring Yasmine’s life and legacy.

In its first 12 months, the foundation has raised over £5,000 to support food security, mental health, LGBTQ+ youth, and young people with additional needs through a combination of events, campaigns, and donations, including the Christmas Foodbank Campaign raised £332 worth of food for local food banks.

On top of its fundraising, the foundation has launched two local allotments to grow fresh produce to help feed families in need, and funded counselling for young people from the LGBTQ+ community in partnership with My Solution Wellbeing in Nottingham.

The team has also been fundraising themselves, with community events such as Yasfest and an Easter coffee morning, and supporters of the CIC ran Tough Mudders, hosted football matches, and sold handmade goods — raising over £1,800 through community initiatives alone.

This month, they will be selling a custom bee pin to raise money for LGBTQ+ counselling — which can be purchased at www.yasminemccloryfoundation.org.uk/our-work/lgbtq-support/pride-pins

"We set out to build something positive from loss—and what we’ve built together in just one year is truly incredible," said Jess McClory, Director of the foundation. "This has been a year of community, compassion, and change."

For more information, to donate to the foundation, or get involved, visit www.yasminemccloryfoundation.org.uk/

With plans to grow its SEND programs, publish health resources, and continue developing its food and counselling work, Jess said that the foundation is looking ahead with hope and determination.