Rhubarb 2019

ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

11

From Small Beginnings...

Paying Tribute Tim Usher (E, 1960-1965) pays tribute to the Anthony Nolan Cancer Trust. Diagnosed with leukaemia in 2014, Tim was in hospital in an isolation ward for nearly three months until the doctors recommended that his only chance of survival was through a bone marrow transplant. None of his family were suitable donors, but thanks to the wonderful work of this charity they very quickly found him a donor who was an ideal match. Although Tim describes it as ‘a long haul’ he was supported through all the treatment by this wonderful charity for which he now raises money twice a year through a tennis tournament and a swimarathon.

the Ashfords Foundation www. ashfordsfoundation.org.uk which is one of the first charitable foundations set up by a law firm. He set up a very small charity, Loose Change which sadly no longer operates. He is the Chair of the steering group of Home from Home www.home-from-home.org.uk . Operating under a charitable umbrella, they hope to sponsor a Syrian family under the Home Office’s Community Sponsorship Scheme. He also volunteers with the Samaritans and raises money for the Howard League for Penal Reform.

George Wilkinson’s (A, 1966-1971) first experience of charity was in his first year at St Edward’s, going to stuff envelopes for Oxfam which at that time had an office in Summertown. Did that sow the seeds for subsequent involvement? George is now the Chair at Bridge Support www.bridgesupport. org supporting people with enduring mental ill health in south east London. He is Secretary to a recently established grant-making charitable foundation Volunteering Anthony Pugh (F, 1957-1962) describes his experience: ‘For many years I have worked as an unpaid volunteer with St John Ambulance, helping to run my division and acting as first aider at many sporting, public and social events. In recognition of my work I was recently invested as a Member of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. This appointment needed Royal approval and officially makes me ‘Esquire’ instead of ‘Mr’. Several times in the past I have acted as the first aider for a party of volunteers re-opening the historic footpaths on Mount Athos, Greece. The Prince of Wales initiated the project and frequently joined us. He loves the chance of doing real physical work.’

C H A R I T I E S

Everyone can Play The String Scheme was promoted by Dale Chambers (B, 1982-1986) after the Royal Grammar School Guildford had established a system of tuition for their feeder prep school. Dale then set up a relationship with a local primary school which has gone from strength to strength with free violin and cello lessons for a year given to over 250 pupils a week. Of those who have completed the scheme, between 15% and 20% have decided to continue with their studies. www.schoolstogether.org

Walk around the world Tom Fremantle (E, 1979-1984) journeys across the world in aid of three causes: the Alzheimer’s Society, the Puzzle Centre and Medical Detection Dogs. Aiming to cover 16,299.8 miles, the minimum required for a world walk according to the World Runner�s Association, Tom has so far walked across America and will travel east in a continuous line across Europe then Russia/Africa and Australasia. He will also cover a swathe of the fifth continent, Asia. Aiming for 20 miles a day with occasional pit stops, it should take about three and a half years subject to terrain, weather, visa rules, bunions and a host of other imponderables. Tom is travelling light, carrying his belongings in a small hiking cart, and has passed through Oxford calling in at St Edward’s in May. Keep up to date with progress at https://tomsworldwalk.com