OLD PERSEANS
OP News Rachel Barlow and Sophie Meadows (both 2019) have both had artworks selected for exhibition as part of the RBA Rising Stars competition. Developed with the Royal Society of British Artists, the RBA Rising Stars competition encourages aspiring young artists who are identified and entered by The Arts Society’s local Societies. The RBA then selects the very best pieces for exhibition in London. Rachel’s work Girl with a bucket will be exhibited at the Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) and the Mall Galleries, and Sophie’s piece Portrait Drawing will be on display at the ROSL.
Hannah Parker (2010) is undertaking a huge challenge as she swims the Topun Austin (1989) featured
English Channel to raise money for
in The Golden Window, which
three charities close to her heart:
won the Arts and Humanities
the MS Society, Prostate Cancer
Research Council (AHRC)
UK, and the Karuna Trust, which she
Research in Film award. The film
chose in memory of Rajen Mahendra
followed a newborn baby who
(2010). Hannah says “I have always
had been starved of oxygen
been a swimmer, competing in galas
following complications at birth.
when I was younger and now as a way to
The ‘golden window’ refers to
keep fit. This challenge has been one I have had
the 72-hour period following
my eye on for a while, mostly encouraged by my grandad Jack
birth, where reducing the
Human, who was a big advocate of my swimming. The swim was
temperature of the baby can
planned for August, but it is too early to tell what the COVID-19
be crucial in minimising long-
pandemic will mean. A delay to later in the swim season is
term brain injury. The film was
likely, depending on how soon I can get back in the water!
made by Dr Shreepali Patel,
Many of you will know the Mahendra family and will have
from Anglia Ruskin University’s
known Rajen. I unfortunately did not have the privilege of being
StoryLab research institute,
as close to Rajen as some, but seeing the impact of his loss on
who worked with Professor
many close friends and his family – to whom we have all grown
Austin’s team at the Cambridge
closer – is deeply saddening and a true testament to him. I am
University Hospitals NHS
swimming in his memory, for those he has left behind and for a
Foundation Trust.
cause that his family have chosen in his name. The Karuna Trust exists to end caste-based discrimination, poverty and inequality in India and Nepal. I hope to make a difference with the funds raised as part of Rajen’s legacy. For more detail on the swim, the charities and the opportunity to donate, please visit https:/uk.virginmoneygiving.com/hanswimsthechan”
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