The Maurice Hilton Trust

The Maurice Hilton Trust
Maurice Hilton was a young and extremely talented, multi-skilled television editor, sound engineer and cameraman.

Maurice died suddenly at the age of 29 from DVT due to an injury he sustained whilst playing a basketball match. After Maurice's tragic death, there was much talk about how to continue his message to all who want to fulfil their dreams. His family, friends and colleagues all felt they'd been inspired by him. Maurice Hilton's inspiration was expressed with a belief that everyone had the right to achieve and succeed as long as they were prepared to put in the hard work.

Maurice Hilton's inspiration was expressed with a belief that everyone had the right to achieve and succeed as long as they were prepared to put in the hard work.

The young men in the community would often question him about how he had done so well. He was very humble and would keep reminding them that the key to their success was their own drive and determination.

He said he'd help anyone who was willing to help themselves, and he was always true to his word. Through The Maurice Hilton Charitable Trust, a scholarship has been set up in his name which will enable Maurice's aims to remain a reality.

Maurice Hilton said he'd help anyone who was willing to help themselves, and he was always true to his word. Through The Maurice Hilton Charitable Trust, a scholarship has been set up in his name which will enable Maurice's aims to remain a reality.

At the Maurice Hilton trust we have spent the last year doing our homework and trying to find out what gaps there are in terms of training for young people like Maurice to find their way into the television industry.

Having talked to many independent production companies in Leeds and other related training organisations, The Maurice Hilton Trust has decided that our goal should be simple: ...every year we want to find one 'Maurice' - someone with his passion, his enthusiasm, his desire to learn and his desire to succeed.

We have limited the application to those over 18. But apart from that our 'Maurice' could be any colour, any age and come from any background. What they must have is a desire to train and a passion for their work.

We will train one person a year. Instead of sitting in a classroom they will train on the job through a variety of placements we will set up with them in the industry in Leeds and the region according to their skills and what areas they most want to go into.

Like Maurice, they will probably want to train to be the best technicians - editors, camera people, sound engineers. They will be given a 6 month placement with companies in the region. They will be paid and supported through this period. They will be mentored by a team that the Trust will provide which will be made up of professionals working in the industry. And after they have finished their 6 months, they will be mentored, though not funded, by the Trust for another 6 months.

We hope we will have done such a good job that the company with whom they are placed will want to invest in them in the longer term!

This is job creation in the industry on a small scale. But we hope that we will be creating and supporting people like Maurice, who gave his time and his passion freely and to anyone who wanted to listen and learn!

The Maurice Hilton Trust is funded entirely through donations from Maurice's family, colleagues and friends. Any further donations are welcome.

For more details go to www.mauricehilton.org

The Maurice Hilton Charitable Trust. Registered Charity No. 1118693