Page 59 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2024
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SUPPORTING THE RVC



              SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH            Helping future lifesavers
              Financial concerns have always been
              one of the biggest sources of stress
              for students but with the  increases
              in the cost of living coupled with        he RVC has a programme       dream that someone can help make true,
              the reduction in value of student         to encourage promising       it means the absolute world. It is such an
              finance, more students than ever           students from diverse and    amazing gift to give. It changes everything;
              are experiencing significant financial   Tunderrepresented backgrounds   to have that support, that reassurance,
              worries. The RVC Alumni Fund has    to pursue their ambitions at the RVC.   and a fallback in emergencies.
              helped us tackle this in two ways.   For some, studying for a challenging   “I am blown away by Elizabeth’s
              We recently invested in a new app    course while coping with rising living   generosity and thoughtfulness. She has
              for students to enable them to manage   costs can be difficult. Thanks to   helped not just me, but my family. Even
              their finances more effectively. The aim   generous donations in wills, we are   with my graduation, I used the money
              of Blackbullion is to increase students’   able to offer a range of scholarships to   for travel, accommodation, and creating
              confidence about their finances by    prospective students. These empower   experiences with them. I would want her
              helping them learn about money, find   talented individuals to overcome financial   to know how very thankful I am, and I am
              extra money, and manage their money   obstacles and follow their dreams.  so proud to have attended a university
              with confidence. This helps students                                    that seeks to bridge financial gaps by
              avoid getting into financial difficulties   WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE?    supporting students in this way.
              by better managing their budgets.   In 2016, the RVC’s charity, the Animal   “I am a graduate of the best veterinary
              The Alumni Fund also makes an       Care Trust, was honoured to receive   university in the world. It is something no
              annual contribution to the Student   a legacy in the will of Elizabeth Catt.   one can take from me, and something I
              Support Fund (SSF). The SSF         Mrs Catt wanted her legacy to support   am extraordinarily proud of. It means the
              provides grants to students who find   RVC students in financial need and we   world that I was able to succeed and
              themselves in financial difficulties.   used her donation to set up the Catt   graduate, despite where I am from and
              The pressure on the fund has been   Scholarship for veterinary nurses.   the circumstances we were in. Thank
              increasing every year but thanks to                                    you, you have changed my life.”
              our alumni, we are usually able to help
              students in need.                                                      LEAVE A LEGACY THAT’S RIGHT
                                                                                     FOR YOU
                                                                                     By leaving a gift in your will you can make
              WE NEED                                                                a lasting contribution to clinical practice,
                                                                                     research and education at the RVC. You can
              YOUR HELP                                                              choose to donate to us to support our broad
                                                                                     spectrum of work, or to fund a particular
                                                                                     cause close to your heart. We’ll guide you
                                                   Legacy Catt Scholar – Ebony Smith  through the process with care and respect.

              If you would like to contribute                                        To find out more, download our Legacy
              to the RVC Alumni Fund,             Ebony Smith was awarded the Catt   Information Brochure by scanning the
                                                  Scholarship in 2021, and she graduated
                                                                                     QR code below. Or you can get in touch
              please scan the smart code          in July 2024. Ebony is now a registered   with our friendly team via phone on
              on this page, visit                 veterinary nurse and explains Elizabeth’s   01707 666237 or email act@rvc.ac.uk
              rvcact.com/AlumniFund,              impact on her life:
              call us on 01707 666237             “I wanted to pursue a job
                                                  where I could support and
              or email us at act@rvc.ac.uk        nurture animals. The nursing
                                                  role felt perfect for me. People
                                                  talk about having lifelong
                                                  dreams and for me this is it.
                                                  “The scholarship made an
                                                  incredible difference, and it
                                                  was such a relief for my family.
                                                  It made me feel ready to tackle
                                                  university and its challenges.
                                                  When you have a difficult
                                                  childhood, but you have a

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