PRESS RELEASE

Date: 19 March 2019

A helping hand to ease the cost of

Local charity, The is reaching out to sixth formers across Borough to offer a helping hand with the ever increasing costs of a university education.

The Harpur Trust University Bursary programme was introduced to help students from lower income families attend university, enabling them to make the most of their academic potential. The programme is open to students living in Bedford Borough, who attend one of the following: Bedford , Bedford College, , Kempston Challenger Academy, Mark Rutherford Upper School, Sharnbrook Upper School, St Thomas More RC Upper School, /.

The fund, which amounts to £3600 per student is open to those aged 19 or under as of 31st August 2017, looking to study a full time undergraduate or foundation degree course starting this autumn. They must have been resident in Bedford Borough for at least 2 years. The deadline for applications is 2nd May 2017.

Lucy Bardner, Community Programmes Director at The Harpur Trust says “We’re proud to have helped 145 Bedford students to attend university since 2007. The Bursaries have enabled them to concentrate on their studies and reduce anxiety & stress, leading to better degree results. It’s humbling to hear how many of them overcome significant personal challenges to graduate with excellent degrees and embark on rewarding careers. Who knows, some of them may return to us as Trustees of The Harpur Trust one day!”

Students who think they might be eligible should contact the head of sixth form at their school or college in the first instance. Further details are also available on The Harpur Trust website at www.harpurtrust.org.uk/grants/uni-bursary.

The Harpur Trust has been supporting the people of Bedford for over 450 years, giving grants to local community projects, offering accommodation for older people, and supporting, promoting and providing education.

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Photo attached. 2016 Graduates who benefited from the bursary attend a special ceremony to mark their success.

For press information, please contact: Sarah Elam, External Relations Manager Tel: 01234 369519 e-mail: [email protected]

Notes to Editors The Harpur Trust has one goal - to help and support the people who live in and around Bedford. Even though we’re one of the largest Charities in the UK, everything we do is for the Bedford area. Using the legacy of Sir William Harpur, our founder in 1566, our aims are clear and simple. We’re here to inspire and support people in the to improve their lives by: • providing and promoting education • offering help and relief to anyone who is sick, in need, hardship or distress • providing recreational facilities with a social welfare purpose

Over 1,100 people work for the Harpur Trust, either at one of our schools or in the main office. Supporting our community by giving grants to local projects is core to what we do. In fact last year we gave £887,228 million in grants to projects based in and around Bedford. This money helped local organisations and individuals to make a difference to their own lives or those of others in the local area.

To find out more about us visit www.harpurtrust.org.uk