Rotherham Sitwell Rotary Supports Tomorrow’s Nurses
Two prospective nurses from Rotherham have received a boost for their studies following support from Rotherham Sitwell Rotary. In early September, Caitlin Cooper of Thomas Rotherham College received a bursary for nursing and now a second student, this time from Rotherham College, has received financial support to kick start her studies.
The bursaries have been allotted from the club’s special educational fund which was pump-primed with a generous donation from the family of past president Dr Gurnam Basran. The Covid-19 pandemic prompted Dr Basran to propose that this fund supported nurse education and preferably for candidates who lived in the Rotherham area.
Following approaches from Rotherham Sitwell Rotary to Thomas Rotherham College and Rotherham College, two schemes were set up both of which recognised personal achievement under challenging circumstances.
Caitlin Cooper who is now studying at Sheffield Hallam University received her bursary following commendations from Thomas Rotherham College staff. Caitlin said “I am settling into my course very well and already enjoying my time learning to live independently. I will use the bursary for my uniform and specialist books. Thank you, Rotherham Sitwell Rotary for helping me”.
The student from Rotherham College wishes to remain anonymous at this time but she was highly successful in her studies despite significant personal adversity much of it related to Covid-19. She is currently studying on a Sheffield Hallam University Foundation Degree course at Rotherham College. She said “The Bursary will help me to purchase books for my studies and later I may be able to invest in my own laptop because I'm currently loaning one from the college”
Dr Basran said “Congratulations on the excellent results achieved by both students. The bursaries recognise these achievements and will hopefully help them on the road to success in such a caring career”.
President Steve Burns said, 'As President, on behalf of Rotherham Sitwell Rotary, and having worked in the NHS for 40 years myself, I'm delighted that we have been able to help these students as they start out in their careers in a caring profession.'
This is the first year that the bursaries have been awarded and it has offered Rotherham Sitwell Rotary the opportunity to develop relationships with the two colleges. It has been particularly pleasing to have met with Jason Austin, Principal and CEO of RNN Group and Joel Wirth Head of Thomas Rotherham College.