News

The Quintin Hogg Trust has announced an extension to its match-funding of The University of Westminster’s 125 Fund. The two-year extension will double the value of every pound donated to The 125 Fund and provide small grants to many more students]

The 125 Fund, set up in celebration of the University of Westminster’s 125th anniversary, enables students to apply for small individual grants to to purchase study equipment, develop projects or help in other ways with their professional development. Some 166 students benefited in the first year, including Mija Valdez, who received a grant towards his final year photography project.

Mija is a care leaver and says he has always found the financial side of university life daunting. “Thanks to The 125 Fund, however, I am now able to maximise my project and make a bigger impact to other children in care, by portraying my journey through cinematic imagery. This has not only helped financially but it has also helped boost my confidence.”

The Quintin Hogg Trust initially agreed to match every pound donated to the 125 fund, up to a total of £125,000. However, having seen at first hand the big difference that these small grants can make to students, the Trust has agreed to extend its support for two more years.

In doing so, it hopes to assist more students like Alexandra Johnson who received a grant enabling her to participate in a wood joinery programme at the Edinburgh sculpture workshop. Alexandra said: “This will help me finalise my PhD project to the highest possible standard and has provided an excellent career development opportunity.”

Jordan Scammell, Development Manager at the University of Westminster, expressed his delight at the Trust’s decision to continue match-funding. “The Trust’s support of The 125 Fund matched giving programme has helped to raise the profile of this important fund and has been instrumental in incentivising and inspiring donors to support students at such generous levels.”

If you are interested in supporting The 125 Fund, please visit [URL] to find out more. Every pound you give will have double the impact thanks to the match-funding provided by the Quintin Hogg Trust.

For more details on The 125 Fund and how students can apply to it, see www.westminster.ac.uk/study/current-students/support-and-facilities/the-125-fund-awards. The next round of grants will be made in January 2019.