Why I support RGS Bursaries

338 ONs currently support RGS Bursaries. BBC correspondent Alastair Leithead (80-90) explains why he’s one of them

I spent the 1980s at the RGS –it was great, I was able to try my hand at anything from fencing and debating, acting, mountaineering and magic, to rugby and journalism. It was the last one that really stuck and 20 years on I’m a BBC foreign correspondent moving from country to country every few years covering war, natural disasters, international politics and now even Hollywood.

The RGS was a great foundation for everything that followed. The academics set me on a good path to a Geography degree –it was what I enjoyed –and editing Novo magazine helped me get work experience at the Evening Chronicle. I moved across to BBC Radio Newcastle shortly after that and have been with the Beeb ever since, travelling the world from postings in Johannesburg, Miami, Kabul, Bangkok and now Los Angeles.

The rugby taught me to get on with the lads –that came in handy while on the front line with British troops in Afghanistan, and the mountaineering helped me keep up with them! TV journalism is about writing but also performing, so that’s the acting covered. Debating taught me to ask the right questions in the right way to get the best answers out of anyone from Hamid Karzai to Tony Blair –world presidents and business leaders. The magic? It keeps kids quiet.

RGS bursaries give this kind of opportunity to everybody. I was lucky – my parents could afford to pay the fees. The old system of assisted places gave very bright people the chance to excel. I can tell you about a couple of hugely successful individuals – leaders in their field – who made it so far because of the opportunities the RGS gave them. The fact this is no longer available means we all have to work together to give something back. The Old Novocastrians owe it to the next generation – to give them those same opportunities today. That’s why I support RGS Bursaries.

If you would like to join Alastair in donating to the RGS Bursary Campaign then please call Jane Medcalf, Campaign Manager on 0191 212 8909. Alternatively, you can make a secure online donation at

www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/rgs-bursaries/how-to-

donate where all donations are gratefully received. RGS bursaries give this kind of opportunity to everybody. “ I was lucky – my parents could afford to pay the fees. The old system of assisted places gave very bright people the chance to excel. I can tell you about a couple of hugely successful individuals – leaders in their field – who made it so far because of the opportunities the RGS gave them. ”

Alastair Leithead