RGS Nightingale Fund

“ I think one’s feelings waste themselves in words, they ought all to be distilled into actions and into actions which bring results.”

Florence Nightingale

Supporting the Changing Lives campaign

RGS WE CARE | NIGHTINGALE FUND

Florence Nightingale (12 May 1820 – 13 August 1910) was an English social reformer and founder of modern-day nursing.

Nightingale came to prominence due to her unwavering dedication to helping sick soldiers in the Crimean War, her compassion towards them and her determination to make conditions better in hospitals.

Aptly named the Angel of the Crimea, her work was attributed to reducing the hospital death rate by two-thirds.

Queen Victoria recognised her work by granting Nightingale a prize of £250,000, which she used to set up St. Thomas’s hospital and the Nightingale Training School for nurses.

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CAN YOU HELP US TO HELP THEM? Astonishing parallels can be drawn from the impact Florence Nightingale had in a time of crisis and the phenomenal work that our NHS is doing in the current Covid-19 pandemic.

With your help we can provide life changing bursaries: • To children from poorer NHS and other essential key worker families.

• To children from poor backgrounds to study A Level courses at RGS to enable them to access medical and related courses at university and beyond.

Now in the 200th year since Florence Nightingale was born, we need your help to raise

£250,000 annually to support key worker children and the next generation of NHS Heroes.

“ Florence Nightingale was a brilliant statistician and communicator who championed the importance of education for social reform. Today, many children from disadvantaged backgrounds do not have the opportunity to realise their dreams. As part of our Changing Lives campaign, we now look to recognise the value and importance of the NHS to us all. To achieve our goals, we need our special community to help us to show our love and appreciation to those who protect us.”

Sean Davey Head of Foundation

RGS WE CARE | NIGHTINGALE FUND

The NHS has seen its biggest strain in decades as the Covid-19 pandemic has taken over the country.

Tributes have been made across the country hailing the NHS as heroes.

Our school, and its global community, recognises the outstanding contribution that NHS key workers make to the health and wellbeing of the British people, particularly at this time of national crisis. We are in awe of their commitment, passion and bravery as they protect and care for us all from their pivotal position on the frontline.

Now is the time to do more.

Shaun Fenton Headmaster, Reigate Grammar School

The country has come together to thank the NHS workers for their sacrifices.

We have clapped for our NHS. We have stayed in to control the virus and help the NHS.

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NHS SCHOLARS WHY? DID YOU KNOW

that NHS employees are paid on average

£26,546

nearly £10,000 lower than the national average1.

Until the new proposals brought on by the pandemic, NHS staff have long suffered on a 1% pay cap. In real terms that equates to a 14% pay cut since 2010. Our lowest paid heroes, who have risked their lives for ours get paid on average

£15,404 per year2.

OUR RESPONSE Reigate Grammar School is recognising the dedication of frontline staff in the NHS, care homes and the emergency services, by prioritising 10 assisted places (bursaries) specifically for the children of parents who work within the NHS and related frontline care sectors, including nurses, paramedics, care workers, porters and cleaners.

We need your help to provide life-changing bursaries to children of low-paid NHS and key worker families.

https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Employer=The_National_Health_Service_(NHS)/Salary https://cop.org.uk/about/press-office/media-articles/42bn-being-invested-into-nhs-to-fund-pay-rise-for-workers/

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2

RGS WE CARE | NIGHTINGALE FUND

SIXTH FORM NHS SCHOLARS DID YOU KNOW

that there is a national shortage of NHS professionals? Last year alone there were

Access to medical professions is almost impossible for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

unfilled posts and

of doctors come from disadvantaged homes.

108,000 Only 4% 12,000 of those were for doctors.

OUR RESPONSE The Nightingale Fund will provide bursaries in our Sixth Form for children from disadvantaged backgrounds who specifically wish to follow A Level courses to access Medicine and related studies at university – nurturing the next generation of NHS Heroes.

Reigate Grammar School has a rich tradition in developing scientific talent with, on average, 25% of students going on to study Medicine and related STEM subjects at university. In the last six years RGS has produced over 50 students who have taken places at medical schools in the UK.

We need your help to widen access to medical courses at university.

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Help one child to help thousands more I am very pleased that RGS has launched this initiative and I hope the Nightingale Fund will help those who need it most. I was fortunate enough to receive a bursary, without which attending RGS and utilising the amazing opportunities the school provided for me would not have been possible. Without such generosity and the help of some brilliant teachers, fulfilling my ambition to become a doctor would have been far more difficult. Since graduating in April 2020, I have already learnt an astonishing amount from some incredible senior colleagues in my first 3 months working in the NHS. I am proud to be a campaign advocate and urge people to support it in any way they can.

Dr. Dan Beasley (RGS 2007-2014) Former bursary recipient

I am greatly appreciative of the generous bursary that gave me the fantastic opportunity to be able to study at Reigate Grammar School. The exceptional educational and careers support provided by Reigate Grammar School, enabled me to be able to secure successfully a place at medical school and fulfil my life-long ambition of becoming a doctor.

All this would not have been possible without the excellent foundations that RGS provided me with and I am forever grateful for this.

Dr. Arani Vivekanantham (RGS 2003-2010) Former bursary recipient

RGS WE CARE | NIGHTINGALE FUND

The coronavirus pandemic has brought massive challenges for me and my colleagues. The risks we take daily are unprecedented and really frightening for our personal health and welfare.

Simon Agombar (RGS 1978-1985) Paramedic for the London Ambulance Service

Care staff carry the guilt of knowing they are causing their own families anxiety, working in such high-risk environments on the frontline. For many carers’ families it is hard to fathom that we would knowingly put ourselves at risk, but we would not dream of letting down our clients, knowing how much they rely on us.

Lucy Gillett Care home nurse and social care training consultant

As a former student, current parent and doctor, I was proud to see the work that the school did through RGS We Care to support the NHS in the pandemic.

I am thrilled to see that they are taking this to the next level by launching this Nightingale Fund. Please support the campaign in whatever way you can.

Dr. Ketan Kansagra (RGS 1984-1992)

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PLEASE SUPPORT THIS CAMPAIGN

Known not only for its academic strength, RGS supports the development of rounded individuals with a professional, resilient and thoughtful approach to the working world.

It is these very individuals who have so much to offer in healthcare roles and the compassion, empathy and dedication so valued by the school, transfer seamlessly into careers in medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, and many more.

However, sadly, not all families can access the opportunities afforded to the students of schools like RGS. Indeed, throughout the health service there is a stark underrepresentation of doctors from underprivileged backgrounds. I have no doubt that the bursaries being introduced at RGS represent the first steps towards closing this gap within our society – extending opportunities to ambitious, hard-working children, irrespective of parental income.

I hope many of you will join me in absolute support for The Nightingale Fund as it cultivates the next generation of RGS Heroes.

The next generation of carers striving to support our society. To help our community.

To look after you.

Dr. Tom Kirschen ICU Doctor (RGS 2001-2009)

RGS WE CARE | NIGHTINGALE FUND

Easy, simple and safe REGULAR GIFT

SETTING UP A REGULAR GIFT WILL MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE Visit rgs.foundation/support-us/nightingale-fund to set up your Direct Debit online.

SINGLE GIFT

BY CREDIT CARD

BY BANK TRANSFER

Visit our website: rgs.foundation/support-us/ nightingale-fund

within the UK

BY CHEQUE

BY BANK TRANSFER

Make payable to: Reigate Grammar School Foundation Post to: Foundation Office Reigate Grammar School Reigate Road Reigate Surrey RH2 0QS

International Bank Account Number (IBAN): GB93 BARC 2024 0570 4431 66 SWIFT Code: BARCGB22 Bank address: Barclays, Level 27, 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP, United Kingdom

Reigate Grammar School Foundation Account No: 70443166 Sort Code: 20-24-05

from Overseas

If you are a UK taxpayer don’t forget to opt in for Gift Aid as this will increase your donation by 25% at no extra cost to you. If you are a higher rate tax payer, you can also claim the difference between the higher rate of tax and the basic rate of tax.

Thank you to all our RGS Heroes. Please support the Nightingale Fund.

The Foundation Office exists to support the development of Reigate Grammar School and to foster the friendship and support of all Reigatians. The Reigatian community includes current and former pupils, parents, staff, governors and friends of the school – all, in fact, for whom the school is, or has been, an important part of their lives.

Our future success depends upon the benevolence of the whole Reigatian community and we invite you to contribute with them and help to shape the future of our great school and its pupils.

All gifts received go to The RGS Foundation which operates as a distinct part of the School charity.

Registered Charity number 1081898.

“ Live life when you have it. Life is a splendid gift – there is nothing small about it.”

Florence Nightingale

Foundation Office Reigate Grammar School Reigate Road Reigate RH2 0QS Telephone: 01737 222231

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