Development Giving Back
I
n spring this year, the Master unveiled a new vision and strategy for the College. In it she said that a Marlborough education should create ‘inspiring young people who, appreciating the privileges they receive, want to make a positive difference in the world’. This feels like a very Marlborough value – one that speaks to our Christian foundation and to the generations of Marlburians since who have gone on to make a difference in society after leaving the College. There is probably no better example of this value in action than Poppy McGhee (NC U6). Poppy is an extremely talented
‘I am enormously grateful to be on a bursary at Marlborough along with a music scholarship. I have been given so many incredible opportunities, both academically and musically.’
39 pupils on full bursaries plus a further 64 on partial bursaries
Over 200 donors
£4 million has been raised for bursaries since 2021
musician – she passed her grade 8 on the violin when she was just eight years old. However, she has always understood the importance of giving back and helping those less fortunate than herself. For the past decade, Poppy has been raising funds for the Amber Trust, an amazing charity that provides musical opportunities for blind and partially sighted children and children with more complex needs. Poppy has played in many fundraising concerts and is, according to the charity’s director, their ‘golden fundraiser’. Last year, she received both the Rotary Young Citizen Award, which celebrates the achievements of inspiring young people, and the Diana Award, in recognition of her charitable work. However, Poppy would not be at Marlborough were it not for her free bursary place. There are now more than 30 pupils on a full bursary and many of them are funded by generous donations from Old Marlburians, parents and friends of the College. £4m was raised for bursaries in the last financial year (2021/22) – a record in a single year – and I am extremely grateful to the hundreds of donors who have supported this important cause. Together, you are providing life-changing opportunities to many future Marlburians whilst also helping to create a more diverse pupil community that better prepares all pupils for the society that they will go on to live and work in. Increasing the number of full bursaries that we are able to offer to motivated and talented young people like Poppy is a major priority for the College. Next spring, we will be launching an ambitious fundraising campaign to make this goal a reality. I have no doubt that the recipients of the bursaries, like so many of our pupils and Old Marlburians, will go on to give back to society in many extraordinary ways. You can find out more about the work of the Amber Trust at www.ambertrust.org.
Poppy McGhee
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The Marlburian Club Magazine
Simon Lerwill Director of Development
