About the Trust
A charity rooted in community and lived experience — built by people who understand the journey, because they have walked it themselves.
Founded on the belief that every young person deserves a chance
The McMillan Family Trust is dedicated to helping young people build the skills, confidence, and resilience to reach their full potential. We empower the next generation through mentoring, personal development, and community support.
Many of our trustees came from a similar background to those we serve. For over fifteen years we have worked across all thirty-two London boroughs, standing alongside young people wherever they start — and helping them reach wherever they want to go.
Today, we proudly continue this mission in honour of our co-founder, Terry McMillan, whose vision was to create opportunities for young people from underprivileged backgrounds, inspired by his own journey and the belief that no young person’s future should be defined by where they begin. We also honour the legacy of Brendan McMillan, a dedicated trustee whose passion for sport, rugby, and bringing communities together embodied everything the Trust stands for.
Their belief in giving back continues to inspire every programme we deliver, every partnership we build, and every young person we support. Through their legacy, we remain committed to creating opportunities, building stronger communities, and helping the next generation realise their potential.
Where it began
The McMillan Family Trust was founded by Sheron McMillan and Terry McMillan, who both came from underprivileged backgrounds and understood first-hand how a young person's circumstances can shape the opportunities available to them.
Together, they built successful careers, but never forgot where they came from or the people and experiences that helped them along the way. They founded the Trust with a shared belief that a young person's starting point in life should never determine how far they can go.
From the beginning, the Trust was about more than providing financial support. Sheron and Terry wanted young people to be exposed to positive role models, new experiences and possibilities they may not otherwise have encountered - giving them the confidence to imagine a different future for themselves.
As part of the Trust's early work, Terry and his brother visited schools across London to speak directly with young people. As two brothers raised in the same household who went on to find success in different fields, they were able to share a simple but powerful message: there is no single path to success, and your background does not have to define your future.
The Trust also created opportunities for young people to explore their creativity and experience life beyond their everyday surroundings. Writing competitions encouraged children to express themselves and develop their ideas, with theatre trips and other cultural experiences giving participants the opportunity to discover something new.
Sport has also played an important role in the Trust's work. Over the years, the McMillan Family Trust has supported young athletes and sports clubs through sponsorship and other opportunities, helping young people pursue their ambitions and participate in environments where they can develop confidence, discipline and a sense of belonging. Much of this work was strengthened through the Trust's corporate partnership with The Trademark Group, creating further opportunities to invest in young people and grassroots sport.
These initiatives established the principles that continue to guide the McMillan Family Trust today: inspiring belief, broadening horizons, nurturing potential and opening doors to opportunity.
As the Trust enters its next chapter, we are building on those foundations - creating new opportunities for a new generation while staying true to the purpose Sheron and Terry established from the very beginning.
Vision, Mission & Values
Full Potential for Every Young Person
To ensure young people are provided with the opportunities and positive role models needed to develop their potential, growing to full maturity as individuals and valuable members of society.
Skills, Confidence & Role Models
To provide young people with the skills, confidence, and positive role models needed to develop their potential — whatever their background, wherever they start.
Familiarity & Compassion
We understand the journey because we have walked it ourselves. That lived experience shapes every relationship, programme, and decision we make.
Education, sport, and one big night a year
Our aim is to support young people primarily through education and sports — funded by the community we bring together at our annual fundraising event.
Support through education
Mentoring, workshops and learning opportunities that build skills and confidence — helping young people aged 13–18 develop their potential in and out of the classroom.
Learn more →Support through sports
Sport builds discipline, teamwork and belonging. We aim to fund access to sports activities, kit and coaching for young people across London who would otherwise miss out.
Learn more →Our yearly fundraising event
Once a year we bring supporters, partners and families together for our flagship fundraising event — the engine that powers everything else we do.
See upcoming events →Help Us Transform
Young Lives.
Whether you donate, volunteer, or spread the word — every action creates a ripple of opportunity for a young person who deserves a chance to thrive.
Make a Donation