Supporter Update - June 2024

Latest news from the Philanthropy & Alumni Relations Office

Lord Wandsworth Foundation’s Patron Announced

We were excited to announce the naming of Sternian and former international rugby star and broadcaster Ugo Monye as the first Patron of the Lord Wandsworth Foundation in March 2024.

Ugo, who himself benefited from the support of The Foundation, is a testament to the transformational potential of the charity. On leaving the College, he embarked on a highly successful rugby career, earning 14 caps for England and being part of the British and Irish Lions 2009 tour of South Africa. Following his retirement in 2015, Monye became a wellrespected television and radio personality, captaining a team on the BBC’s ‘Question of Sport’ quiz show. In 2021, he was appointed chair of the Rugby Football Union’s independent advisory group on diversity, co-chairs the National Physical Activities Taskforce, and sits on the board of the Women’s Sports Trust.

We were thrilled to welcome Ugo back to LWC on Foundation Day, in his first appearance in his new role. We know that with his support, we can and will do more to widen worlds for young children who have suffered the loss of support of a parent. It was fantastic to hear him speak and meet so many of our current Foundation pupils who were a little star-struck!

“I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to play a role in The Foundation’s story. This is a charity close to my heart, as The Foundation supported me through my schooling. Lord Wandsworth College opened so many opportunities for me, gave me an incredible education, and got me to pick up a rugby ball for the first time! I am so excited to help shape the future for the next generation.”

We look forward to working with Ugo in the weeks and months ahead and reporting on our progress together.

Foundation Day Appeal raises £53,087!

On Foundation Day this year we launched our Foundation Day Appeal, asking all members of our community to please dig deep and support The Foundation and Foundationer Extras campaign. We were absolutely delighted with the response, raising a staggering £53,087 from donations as well as generous bids at our first silent auction.

We began gathering auction prizes in January, reaching out to local businesses, Sternians and parents to ask for donations.

THANK YOU

FOUNDATION DAY APPEAL

We were thrilled with the fantastic array on offer – luxury weekend breaks, a diamond, private polo lessons, VIP rugby tickets, a round of golf with the Headmaster and many more! There really was something for everyone and it was lovely to see our community geting involved. As the auction closed on Sunday 24th March it was great fun watching the bids leaping up during the last few minutes.

We would like to say thank you to all who supported the Appeal by making a donation or taking part in the auction. It was so kind of you to support The Foundation in this way. Thank you!

Surge in Volunteering at LWC

Each year we welcome a growing number of volunteers to LWC who support our fantastic Futures programme to arm our pupils with as much career guidance as possible. In the last few months, our volunteers have helped at the Futures Fair, the 5th Form Mock Interview Morning, Round Table events and have given advice to pupils regarding CV’s, EPQ’s and work experience. Thank you.

Futures Fair 2024

We are always so grateful to those Sternians and parents who give up their time to talk to our pupils and offer essential advice and expertise. The fair is always so well attended with a wide variety of industries represented as well as visiting universities and colleges – all offering something different. It is wonderful to see our pupils ask questions, explore and become excited by the possibilities their future may hold. A huge thank you to everyone who generously took time out of their working week to attend – it is hugely valued by the pupils. Volunteers also enjoyed what they described as the ‘best lunch ever’!

Mock Interview Morning

Each February, 5th Form pupils are given the opportunity to submit their CV’s and book a mock interview with a parent or Sternian. The interviews take place in Sutton Hall and volunteers are asked to give detailed feedback from everything from the initial handshake to their ability to answer questions coherently and show interest in their interviewer. It is a wonderful opportunity for these pupils who are just taking those first steps into thinking about the world of work. Thank you to those of you who gave up their Saturday morning to attend – it was much appreciated.

Iceland Trek 2025 (26 Feb – 2 Mar 2025)

Training for our second Overseas Challenge to Iceland in February 2025 is underway.

We have the most incredible team of 35 Sternians and LWC parents who are all eager to get moving in preparation for the snow and ice. The trip seems like a long way off, but it will come around quickly.

A group of us met up at LWC for the first of our training walks at the end of April. It was a great opportunity for us to meet each other and chat about the challenge ahead. We walked The Beckwith route which took us through Sheephouse Copse and up to Quercus. It was a muddy, rainy walk but it didn’t dampen our spirits! We are looking forward to getting to know everyone on the trip ahead of our expedition and help raise vital funds for The Foundation.

JOIN THIS TRIP OF A LIFETIME

There are only a limited number of places left on this fundraising trip. Please scan the QR code to reserve your place OR contact Kate Boyd in the Philanthropy Office if you would like to receive more details or to chat it through – philanthropy@lordwandsworth.org

Christmas Baubles

We have always wanted to produce beautiful porcelain baubles featuring the school logo to sell in aid of the Lord Wandsworth Foundation.

Last Christmas we finally did just that! We commissioned gold and navy porcelain baubles with all proceeds from the sales going to The Foundation. They were sold at the outdoor Christmas Carol Service as well as on our website. We hope to sell them again next year so look out for their return!

Foundation Day 2024 – Making an Impact

Donors, supporting Trusts and Charities, as well as special guests were welcomed to the College on Thursday 21st March for our annual Foundation Day celebrations.

This year our theme was all about the impact The Foundation has made, and continues to make, to the thousands of children that have been supported over the last 101 years, and how that impact continues after they pass through the College gates as Sternians.

The day kicked off with a whole school assembly where Foundationers spoke to all pupils about their own personal circumstances and the vital role The Foundation plays for them and their family.

In the afternoon, guests heard from current and former Foundation pupils. We are always in awe of those who have the courage to take to the stage and talk about their story. A special thank you to the three pupils who have shared extracts from their’s here.

We also enjoyed various musical performances from some extremely talented Foundationer musicians, listened to some parent reflections on the vital role The Foundation has played in their life, and heard from our new Patron. The Headmaster thanked all our donors and reiterated the importance of The Foundation. Sam Corfield, Director of Philanthropy, highlighted the impact philanthropy has made in LWC’s history and that it continues to be crucial for the future sustainability of The Foundation. Sam also highlighted The Foundation’s transformational power for its many beneficiaries. Afterwards we headed to Julyans for a lovely afternoon tea followed by tours of the College.

A huge thank you to everyone who was able to join us. If you have not been to Foundation Day before, we would urge you to come next year as it is a very special day in our calendar.

“I was born and raised in a council flat in East London with my mum and sister - a sister with serious, and at times lifethreatening, health issues. I stand before you as nothing more than an inspired young black boy from a deprived area, as proof that dreams are not confined by circumstance. During my time at LWC, I have developed a pride and power in my story. A pride in being the stone the builder refused.

2388 days ago, I entered the Acorn Gates scared, lonely, frustrated and quite frankly lost. Yet this morning, I woke up, looked out of my Sutton room window onto Southview and thanked God for what is nothing short of a miracle. The unwavering support and belief in me have fuelled my aspirations and has served as a constant reminder of the potential that lies within me. I would like to leave you with a thank you in advance, because a seed has truly been planted here. Not just within me, but within every Foundation pupil, and Foundation Day is a complete ode to that notion.”

Micah – U6th Form

Guests begin to gather at Gavin

Foundation Pupils Share Their Thoughts...

“The Foundation has enabled me to have a chance to learn at a school. If I wasn’t here, I couldn’t tell you where I would be now.”

“I am not the only one that has lost someone so close to them. During times when I am upset, I am never alone, as I have my friends from The Foundation who get it more than anyone ever will.”

“The Foundation has taken a huge amount of pressure off my mum ever since my father died, and has helped me and my brother to grow into strong adults.”

“The Foundation doesn’t only affect us as Foundationers, it affects everyone we know, especially our families. Personally for me, and I am sure for every Foundationer, it has allowed my family, specifically my mum, to know I am at the perfect place. I can safely say I would never have been able to achieve what I have without the unconditional support from The Foundation.

After the loss of my dad, my mum worked tirelessly for my brother and I and rarely took time for herself. However, due to the support of The Foundation, mum has managed to embark on a new career in teaching, where she has never been happier. I am so grateful for The Foundation, and it will always have a place in my heart.”

Jenson – L6th Form

“Life before LWC was a different environment for me and many other Foundationers. I wasn’t meant to have a good education or meant to play sport or even sit half of the GCSE’s that I am sitting this year. Instead I was set up to fail. There was never really a plan for me, I was just supposed to be another lost cause, another member of my family to just be swept under the carpet and forgotten about. This was until my grandma found out about LWC.

As soon as I stepped through the gates on my tour, I felt like I was in a whole different world. A world where they set you up to succeed in life as a person and give you a good standing point where you can achieve near enough anything. Straight away I sat my entrance exams and got to meet a few Foundationers some who are still here to this day and I now call friends.

I remember the day my grandma picked me up from school and showed me a letter addressed to me. I open it and saw that I had been accepted. My grandma was in tears and she tried to video my reaction but instead recorded the floor! At that moment I knew how lucky I was, and even though the odds were against me LWC gave me the opportunity to win in life and not fail.”

Ryan – 5th Form

Gavin Hall for the Foundation Day presentation.

It is always lovely to welcome back Sternian Foundationers.

Trusts & FoundationsNavigating Change

Partnerships Manager, Jane Friend, discusses the increasing complexity working alongside trusts and foundations…

The way trusts choose to give is changing. While traditional methods like grant applications and large donations remain important, many organisations are increasingly interested in forming partnerships and investing in projects with clear goals and measurable results. So as the world of charitable giving evolves, so must we…

A changing world

Here at LWC, we have been taking a look at the unique challenges facing trusts and foundations today.

There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has played a role in reshaping the landscape of charitable trust fundraising, highlighting the importance of resilience and adaptability in navigating difficult times. Ongoing economic uncertainty has resulted in shifting needs and priorities, tightening criteria for support and increased competition for funding. Charitable trusts are also facing ever increasing demands for accountability, transparency and sustainable impact.

At LWC, we have seen several charitable trusts move away from funding school fees as they adjust their focus areas to address new challenges. Some now concentrate on essential day to day living costs as families struggle to meet basic costs; others have excluded independent schools from their criteria; and a number are spending out for various reasons including a wish to maximise immediate impact rather than long-term influence. This has meant we have seen our income from trusts and foundations reduce by £100,000 over the last 10 years or so to approximately £250,000pa.

Where generosity meets purpose

To all the charitable trusts who continue to support The Foundation, heartfelt thanks. We are extremely grateful for your generosity, which plays a pivotal role in helping us bridge the gap between potential and opportunity for our young Foundationers.

These partnerships are transformative – for individuals and communities – and enable us to provide Foundation Awards which are specifically tailored to the needs of the young people we support. It has been wonderful forming new relationships with funding bodies to support different elements of our Extras Fund e.g. sport, music and IT equipment. This ensures pupils can make the most of all opportunities.

Thank You

A tailored response

We are lucky to have a dynamic and adaptable Philanthropy Team here at Lord Wandsworth College and, although charitable trusts remain a crucial pillar of support for The Foundation, the challenges facing the sector mean that we must take a multifaceted approach. We are:

1. Really getting to know our donors so we can tailor our fundraising initiatives appropriately

2. Being strategic about our fundraising whether that’s proactively seeking out niche opportunities or diversifying sources of funding

3. Aligning our work to the priorities of trusts and foundations, whilst remaining true to our vision

4. Setting clear goals within our team and sharing them with the wider school community

5. Being realistic about a pool of funds and looking to other sources to ensure the safe future of The Foundation.

Can you help?

If you know of a foundation we should reach out to, or have access to a family or company trust, please do get in touch with Sam for an initial chat.

Donor Clubs

Thank you to all our Donor Club members for your continued generosity, kindness and unwavering support of Lord Wandsworth College and the Lord Wandsworth Foundation. It is always a pleasure to see so many of you at College events and we very much look forward to being able to thank you more formally, at the Headmaster’s Garden Party in June (details overleaf).

LEGACY CLUB

J Bacon 1970

A Baker 1980

G Barnes 1964

A Barry 1962

A Blows 1984

K Bowden 1947

R Brewster 1946

G Briggs 1961

C Bullock 1951

R Bye 1949

M Carey 1985

Sir P Coulson 1976

L Cullen 1952

B Cunningham 1945

J D S Dudley 1951

M Dunsford 1963

H Ellis 1964

I Ellis 1974

A G Greenwood 1970

J Marshall 1970

M Haydon 1954

J Higgs 1977

T Hodges 1963

D Jaggs 1959

M Jeary 1961

J Jeffery

I Kerr OBE

L Kinney 1951

L MacVean 2007

C R Martin 1961

T Oke 1960

R Pope 1961

T Prideaux

B Reeve 1959

T Riley 1982

C Shaw

N Shaw 1991

C Snow 1964

R Stabbins 1962

J Steed 1967

R Sullivan 1987

M Veale 1947

A Warren

P Watson

D W Watts

A V Whibley

C Winter 1960

REGULAR DONORS

A Baker 1980

R Bakshi 1985

K Blakeley

D Bonner 1946

K Boyd

C Bullock 1951

J Carreck 1949

C J Cazenove

C Chandler

C & K Compton Goddard

S Corfield

J D S Dudley 1951

A Dyson 1967

H & L Evans

A Finn & K Garner

C J Fry

G J Fry 1975

J A George 1993

J Hallows

U Hartkopf

M Haydon 1954

B D Holden 2009

S Howard 1980

D Inman 2002

I Kerr OBE

L Kinney 1951

J Konrad 2003

R Link

J C & B Maynard

J A McGeoch

R Nicholas 1965

B E Norsworthy 1961

D Pipe

S Powell 1946

T Prideaux

J Rea-Palmer 1995

S Sawhney

T Scott 1991

N Shaw 1991

R F Shaw

P Spanner 1948

R Stabbins 1962

L Steer

D Stevenson 1953

D & I Vinecombe

D Watts

M Welton-Delafield

A J Williams

S & C Wolfe

T Wood 1996

BECOME A MEMBER

To find our more about LWC’s Donor Clubs scan the QR code here.

£5,000+ CUMULATIVE

G* & S Bayliss 1948

J Calver*+ 1939

C J Cazenove

S Clarke 1981

C & K Compton Goddard

D & S Corfield

G Culmer

S H Davies*+ 1941

S L Davis*+

C & N Eastwood

M Featherstone*+

A Finn & K Garner

G J & C J Fry 1975

G Fussell*+ 1945

A Gardiner* 1939

A & K Griffin

U & J Hartkopf

A Haste 1953

P Hawkins*+ 1947

M Haydon 1955

C Hilditch*+ 1953

T Hodges 1963

F Holmes*+

S Howard 1980

L Kinney 1953

J Konrad 2003

T Leslie 1984

B Lovelock*+ 1950

D M H Lowe*+ 1944

N & N Loxton-Coe

F E Luscombe*+ 1938

I Madelin*+ 1949

J & S McCarthy

H Merican 1983

D Minnikin* 1959

F H C Podger* 1948

M & A Prestwich

T Prideaux

S Powell 1946

P Rafferty

I S Rampton

T Riley 1982

J Robinson

D Rutherford James

M Sanders*+ 1953

J Sands* 1976

S Sawhney

T J M Scott 1991

N Shaw 1991

R Stabbins 1962

P & G Summers

N Taylor* 1945

D & I Vinecombe

A Warren 1965

P Waters

A Westwell*+ 1957

A J Williams

E Williams*+ 1938

S & C Wolfe

£50,000 CUMULATIVE

S Austen

A Cutner*+ 1938

I Doley*+ 1952

J D S Dudley 1951

W Errington*+ 1939

J Flower*+

A J Gates* 1946

E Hampton*+ 1931

R Jenkin* 1964

J C & B Maynard

Sir H Prideaux*

Baron S Stern*+

R Thompson* 1955

D W Watts

J W Whitehead 1977

* Deceased + Legacy Gift

For those donor club members who wish to remain anonymous, we hope you know how grateful we are for your support.

If you are a Donor Club member but your name does not appear, and you have requested to be listed, we do apologise and please let us know so that we can correct this. Equally, if you would prefer to remain anonymous in the future, please do get in touch with us.

Headmaster’s Garden Party

Members of our Donor Clubs and volunteers of the College have received invitations to this exclusive event on 22nd June.

The Headmaster, Adam Williams, has kindly offered his home to us so that we may more formally recognise their ongoing and loyal support.

Invitations were sent out in the post, but if for some reason yours didn’t reach you and you are a Donor Club member or have volunteered at the College this year through our Futures events or Sternian Committees, please do get in touch with the Philanthropy Team.

We look forward to seeing you there!

As always, The Headmaster, Governors and Philanthropy Team are so grateful to each and every one of you for your generosity, time and devotion to the College. It means so much to us and we could not continue the work that we do without your unwavering support. Thank you!

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PHILANTHROPY & ALUMNI RELATIONS OFFICE

Sam Corfield, Director of Philanthropy & Alumni Relations T: 01256 860243

Kate Boyd, Philanthropy Manager T: 01256 860297

Clare Faherty, Alumni Relations Manager T: 01256 860356

Jane Friend, Trusts & Foundations

E: philanthropy@lordwandsworth.org

Lord Wandsworth College, Long Sutton, Hampshire RG29 1TB

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