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Raoul’s story:

Dr Feld

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A BATTERSEA LEGACY Helen and her father

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On behalf of her family, Helen Priest recently made a donation to the Battersea Fund in memory of her late father, Dr Raoul Feld. Here she explains why it was so important to honour his legacy…

Dr Raoul Feld came to England as an eight-year-old refugee in 1938. He was part of the Kindertransport rescue effort to save Jewish children in Nazi-controlled territory.

After grammar school, he studied a BSc in Chemistry at Battersea Polytechnic Institute.

Securing a PhD, he married and had six children.

“I think he was an impoverished student,” says Helen, who worked in education and children’s social care. “He often said he never had a new item of clothing.

He must have had a grant to go to university. But he obviously gave that to his parents as he didn’t ever have any money.

Student days

“More recently, he was very glad to find the Battersea alumni group. He was desperate to make contact with people. He had a great time and he loved attending alumni events.

“I came to several with him. He saw the new pool at Surrey Sports Park, which he was impressed with. He’d been a swimmer himself and competed in national competitions in his 80s! He also attended the honorary degree ceremony.

We were all proud on that day. It was really special.

“Everybody knew him. He was interested in life and people. He always said having a big family was his best revenge against Hitler.”

Alumni events

Sadly, Raoul died recently. But as soon as his family heard about the Battersea Scholarship, they wanted to support it on Raoul’s behalf. Helen continues: “The legacy of giving something back after his journey would have been very important to him.

It would connect with him.

Legacy of giving

“Our family’s absolutely thrilled with the idea that he’s creating an ongoing legacy. He’s making a difference. His gift to the Battersea Scholarship is the beginning of somebody else’s story. That’s a really pleasing thought...“

Anwar’s story:

WHY SUPPORT MATTERS Meet Anwar Mudh Hid, the first recipient of the Battersea Scholarship that your generosity helped fund.

“I can’t show my gratitude enough to the alumni who donated to the Battersea Scholarship Fund,” says Anwar, who’s in his first year studying a BSc in Business Management. “I was on the verge of giving up university. This support came when I needed it most. It saved me from making a massive mistake.”

Originally from Kenya, Anwar was estranged from his mother when he came to the UK. Difficulties with his father and his stepmother saw social services intervene, and Anwar was assigned a legal guardian.

He continues: “When I knew I had a place at Surrey, I began looking for help. I explained my situation to Student Finance and they suggested I apply for a Battersea Scholarship.” Several weeks later, Anwar learnt he’d been accepted.

Anwar’s story

“At the start of December, my legal guardian told me my mum had tried to get in touch,” explains Anwar. “She said I should phone her because she was very ill. It was an emotional call.”

Family tragedy

Sadly, Anwar’s mum died two days later. “It’s been a rollercoaster ride,” he adds. “I’d never wish anyone to experience what I’ve been through in my first term. But the Battersea Scholarship took a lot of pressure off.

“Before mum died, it already had a huge impact. If you’re not financially stable, you can’t focus on your studies because you’re too concerned about money worries.

“ When mum died, it helped me cope.

It’s not just the money. My mental health could have suffered, but I had additional support with people like my mentor around me.”

“I’m now doing exams and I’m also planning to complete a professional training year as part of my BSc, then I hope to study for a Masters in Business Management,” says Anwar. “I see my future in business leadership roles. I want to help other people achieve their goals.

“That’s what the Battersea generation has done for me. I feel 100 per cent connected to the alumni who’ve donated to establish this scholarship. I’m now part of their legacy.

“But there are other Surrey students like me who need support to get to where they want to be in life. The Battersea generation made a real difference to me.

“I hope people continue to give…”

Brighter future

Anwar in the Surrey Business School

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING Through your generosity, the Battersea Scholarship Appeal has raised an amazing £70,000.

We can change the lives of tommorow’s trailblazers today.

“Our family’s absolutely thrilled with the idea that dad’s creating an ongoing legacy. He’s making a difference.

His gift to the Battersea Scholarship is the beginning of somebody else’s story. That’s a really pleasing thought...“ On behalf of her family, Helen Priest recently made a donation to the Battersea Fund in memory of her late father, Dr Raoul Feld.

To find out more about our Battersea Scholarship Fund and how you can donate, contact the team:

surrey.ac.uk/batterseascholarship alumni@surrey.ac.uk

Colour images courtesy of Victoria Chloé Koch