Grants for university students (From Wiltshire Times)

Grants for university students

12:30pm Wednesday 10th September 2008 in News By Charley Morgan

A GROUP of students going off to university this year have benefited from a charitable fund created from the estate of a former Trowbridge couple.

The Shuker Educational Fund was established when Brian and Mari Shuker left the bulk of their estate to support young people from west Wiltshire who want to study for a degree, master's or doctorate.

The aim of the fund is to give financial help to students aged between 17-24 from poorer backgrounds.

Brian Shuker was the managing director of Trowbridge Dairies and retired when the business was sold in 1995, while his wife Mari also carved out her own successful business career but the couple had no children.

As a testament to their 40 years in Trowbridge, where they prospered and enjoyed life so much, they decided to leave most of their estate to set up the fund.

Fred Wright from Trowbridge is going off to study Mathematics and Philosophy at the University of Bristol after receiving a grant.

He would have had to get a job to support himself through his studies as he has a severely disabled brother and there is little income left over.

He said: "The scholarship means that I no longer require a full time job throughout my studies.

"I believe that thanks to the Shuker's wonderful charity many students, including myself, will be able to fulfil their potential."

Former St Laurence School pupil Jessica Ovens, 21, of Broughton Gifford, is currently in her third year studying medicine at Southampton University.

She said: "I am particularly interested in paediatrics and hope to eventually specialise in this or general practice.

"With no personal or family experience of life as a health professional, the world of medicine is entirely new to me.

"The Shuker Trust will enable me to concentrate fully on achieving my goal of becoming a doctor without added worries of how I will afford my next month's rent or if I will be able to afford the materials required to further my studies.

"I am very grateful to the Shuker Trust for granting me this scholarship and in doing so they have strengthened my resolve to achieve this ambition."

Another recipient from the fund Alexander Jeffrey, from Staverton, said: "When the news sank in I felt a deep heartfelt gratitude to Mr and Mrs Shuker and their lasting legacy. I also felt a sense of pride in myself because I know I am focussed and committed enough to being successful at university but to understand that others see great potential in me makes me feel more determined to be the best that I can be, have a better future and eventually be of benefit to the community in which I live."

The fund is run by the The Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon - contact Marie or Jenny for more information and an application form on (01380) 729284.