The new Futures Scholarship has been awarded to three students starting their degrees this year.

The fundraising initiative is the University’s largest-single award, offering a variety of opportunities for students to support them financially as they study, as well as developing a network of Futures Partners to inspire and give professional support.

The Futures Aspire Scholarship is an award of £5,000 a year offered to a student who may have experienced barriers to succeed in their educational journey. The University’s aim is to transform the life of a student, not only by supporting them financially, but also by offering them the support and guidance of a Futures Coach to build their confidence and aspirations.

Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Rama Thirunamachandran OBE DL said: “We are delighted at the early success of the new Futures programme.

Our aim is to support current and future students with this additional strand of funding, enabling them to excel and succeed in their ambitions whilst studying with us. We’re incredibly grateful to our alumni community and local businesses who have enabled us to award scholarships to three very deserving students. We wish them every success in their studies.”

Funding has been raised through individual donations from the University’s alumni community, as well as funding from Atlas FM and Iain Hawthorn, who through his generous donation, has set up the first fully funded named scholarship The Hawthorn Scholarship.

Sara Scriven, Head of Fundraising, said: “We’d like to thank our sponsors and those who have contributed to this fantastic initiative. We’re thrilled to be joining forces with our alumni community and local businesses to make this happen. We know Futures is going to make a real difference to our students, but it’s not just the students who will benefit. Our Futures Partners have spoken to us about the benefits they’ve seen in their own careers as a result of mentoring and coaching support too.”

Louise Hattersley, Futures Aspire Scholar

Louise is from Kent and achieved her A-Levels in English Literature, History and Sociology. Her passion is technology and game design. She starts the BA (Hons) Games Design course this month and cherishes the opportunity to obtain a degree that is constantly evolving and promoting innovation.

“Being awarded this scholarship has granted me the opportunity to follow my passion by studying for a degree in technology. I aim to fully utilise each aspect of this scholarship in my time at the University. It has helped fuel my motivation for reaching my goals and provided me with a strong foundation to help build and expand my skills. My hope for the future Is to inspire and help children to follow their true passions.”

Louise Hattersley, Futures Aspire Scholar

Kristian Hricko, Futures Aspire Scholar

Kristian is from a Roma ethnic background and is the first in his family to go to university. He achieved his A-Levels in Fine Art, Chemistry and Religious Studies, and is passionate about medicine. Kristian’s calling is to help people. He starts his BSc (Hons) in Diagnostic Radiography this week and hopes to specialise in Sonography after his studies.

“Being awarded this scholarship is going to have a huge impact both on my life and studies throughout my time at University. It will enable me to fully focus on the great experience that is awaiting me without financial or emotional worries.”

Kristian Hricko, Futures Aspire Scholar

The Hawthorn Scholarship offers £5,000 a year for three years, with the aim of springboarding an undergraduate student into a future leadership role in Kent. This scholarship has been established thanks to the incredible generosity of Iain Hawthorn, an alumnus of the Business School who saw his career transformed as a result of studying at Canterbury Christ Church. Iain will also act as a dedicated Futures Mentor to support the scholar into a future career in Kent.

Dayne Blake, The Hawthorn Scholar

Dayne Blake is the first person in his family to attend university and has achieved his A-Levels in Sports Development and Coaching. He is a huge football fan with a deep passion for business studies, who would like to combine his two passions by becoming a financial analyst for a top football club. This September he starts a BSc (Hons) in Business Management and Finance.

“I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity of being awarded the Hawthorn Scholarship. It will really help me to succeed throughout my time at Canterbury Christ Church, as I will be able to focus on my studies and get the best grades possible. I know that with the guidance of Iain as my Mentor, I will be able to further my knowledge and achieve greater success.”

Dayne Blake, The Hawthorn Scholar