Rhubarb October 2022

Fundraising A s we are now able to welcome many more OSE, parents and local community members to the diverse range of events hosted at Teddies and throughout the country, we have seen a 40% growth in philanthropic support to the School over the year, mainly in support of bursary funding, sports and the endowment. This growth has been possible, in the main, thanks to two OSE, who, having been touched by their School experience, wanted to provide financial support to enable others to do the same.

The Donor : an interview

those.We did have James Forrester (Cowell’s, 1994-1999) and Jonny Goodridge (Segar’s, 1994-1999) in those teams who went on to have terrific ten-year professional rugby careers!

Nick McEwen (Tilly’s 1994-1999)

BEYOND TEDDIES

Nick, you and your wife have been inspired to set up an endowed bursary fund at Teddies this year to support

What would you say to others considering financially supporting the School?

great day pupils who would otherwise not be able to contemplate a Teddies education.What prompted this?

It's a huge privilege to be able to give back to a school that so many have got so much out of. Increasing the number of assisted places is a significant focus for Teddies over the coming years and we very much hope to continue to be a part of that.Teddies is a registered charity so any donations can have a wider impact and go even further. You decided to name this bursary after one of your great pals at school,Toby Smith (Tilly's, 1995-2000). Can you tell us why you decided to do this? Toby was in the year below me as well as being in my House (Tilly’s). He was the most remarkable sportsman whether in rugby, rowing, cross country or golf. He was one of the most hard-working and humble people and taken far too soon, so it felt natural to name the new endowment after a Teddies great. Pete Swainson (Tilly’s, 1995-2000) and the OSE team did a superb job organising the Toby Smith Celebration Ball in May and we are looking forward to more fundraising events.

I attended the School from 1994-1999 and, like so many, I wouldn't have had that opportunity without being on a Rotherfield scholarship.We wanted to pass the privilege on, hopefully to several others, that I had been lucky enough to have.

Why is supporting independent education important to you?

The breadth of opportunities that schools like Teddies offer is vast and education can be an enormous catalyst for social mobility.

Can you describe one of your most memorable times at Teddies?

It never got better than beatingWellington College on Upper One.The 1st XV had five victories in a row against them and I was lucky enough to play in the last two of

The Toby Smith Celebration Ball was held on Saturday 7th May 2022

160 of Toby’s friends and family joined us for a very special evening to remember Toby, to celebrate his life and to raise funds to grow the Bursary that Nick had

established in his name.The evening reconnected many old friends and welcomed new faces to the School. It was a terrific occasion of fun, laughter and many happy memories and along with Nick’s donation has currently raised nearly £100,000. If you would like to donate to this fund which supports pupils who wouldn’t be able to contemplate a Teddies education and who have both academic and great sporting potential please click on the QR code. We want to thank the brilliant committee for organising such a special occasion; Chris Bates (Corfe, 1995-2000), Pete Swainson (Tilly’s, 1995-2000) and Simon John (Apsley, 1995-2000) and all those who joined us on the evening or supported Toby’s fund.

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