Ben (Tyrrell Scholar)

Finding out that I had been awarded a Tyrrell Scholarship and would be supported through my journey to higher education and a guaranteed place at St Chad’s, the Durham College of my dreams, was a surreal feeling. I was incredibly keen to get involved with as much as I could around college. I began by joining as many sports as I could: football, hockey, mixed lacrosse, basketball, mixed netball, volleyball, rounders, and darts. All of which I still play. I represented the college in most of these sports in the St Chad’s/St John’s varsity day this year and was thrilled to be awarded the Sportsman of The Day trophy (pictured). This is an award I probably couldn’t have won if it weren’t for the Tyrrell scholarship. Equipment is costly, and having not played much sport before university meant that I couldn’t just turn up to some sports fixtures and play. For example, darts had to be bought, a pair of boots for football and lacrosse, shinpads for hockey, the list goes on. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do so through your kindness. Having heard the impressive story of Jim Tyrrell himself from our Principal Margaret, I was delighted to hear that I was being supported by such a kind man, who walked the same corridors I am lucky enough to walk now.