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ONA — Old Novocastrians Association Magazine
Interesting and Challenging Old Novos of a Special Kind “Bursaries at RGS rely entirely on donations, as no bursaries are funded from school fees. It is due to the generosity of our donors that we are able to “give the gift of education” to 100 young people in this academic year.”
The means to carry on supporting students at the RGS in this way are coming from many forms of generous donations. Legacies have been pledged to us, and, in due course, some have come through, providing a vivid and lasting memory of a generous testator. Single donations, often in response to appeals, and continuing pledges are received; regular monthly or quarterly payments can add up to a large gift quite painlessly. Some parents have donated their children’s school deposits, in addition to other gifts. An educational trust in America has assisted us to open a route for taxfree donations from the USA. Our representative there is Old Novo Tren Meyer (49-52), contact him at a_tmeyer@one.net if you would like to know more. Charitable trusts, although hard pressed by the effect of the recession on their income, have continued to make some grants to the Campaign, and there are socially minded companies who match the charitable giving of their employees, so please do check with your employer if you wish to make a donation; they may be able to double it for you. By all these methods, the income of the Bursary Campaign is holding up well in the recession, and we are always pleased to hear from any Old Novo who wishes to help, or simply to know more. Feel free to contact us on campaign@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk.
Crispian Strachan, Chairman of the RGS Bursary Campaign, on the success of the campaign’s latest appeal. Well, yes, I know; all Old Novos are interesting and challenging people. It’s in their Geordie (or other local) genes, never mind the extra helping of skills, challenges and sheer “Novoness” that the RGS has given them over the years. But I have in mind a particular group, who have collated short stories from their lives for a good purpose – the RGS Bursary Campaign. Not all of these people received bursary support; not all of them are financial supporters of the Campaign. The one thing they have in common is the vision of providing opportunities, especially in hard times, for young people to turn their abilities and aspirations into real, life-changing attainments. You can read their stories on our webpage. More stories are in the pipeline and will continue to be added to the site. If you know of someone who fits, please tell us!
Bursaries at RGS rely entirely on donations, as no bursaries are funded from school fees. It is due to the generosity of our donors that we are able to “give the gift of education” to 100 young people in this academic year alone, to their individual benefit, the benefit of the social mix and outreach of the school, and to the long term benefit of the North East as a whole. There can be few better ways to invest in the future than to invest in the development and skills of our bright young people. Your assistance and support will always be most welcome. Crispian Strachan Chairman of the Bursary Campaign For more information about the Bursary Campaign, go to www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/bursary-campaign or contact Campaign Manager Jane Medcalf on 0191 212 8909
