By Amirah Valu
Two Kingston University students have received a bursary from the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, to help them fund and follow their dreams in the architecture industry.
Stephen Lawrence, who always dreamt of being an architect, was just 18 when he was beaten and stabbed to death after an unprovoked racist attack in South East London.
“For me the energy and commitment that drives the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust is inspiring,” said Samuel Perry, who received a special bursary from the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and the Landscape Institute.
The first year student, who studies landscape architecture, applied for the 2011 bursary before he began his course this semester.
He said: “I applied for the bursary and I didn’t think I would get it. The bursary is going to help me with buying computer software for my course as well as books.”
Over 100 architecture students have benefitted from the trust and eight of them have qualified to become architects, including Kingston architecture graduate Marcus Fearon.
Stephen Lawrence’s death led to subsequent inquires of how the police dealt with his murder investigation, after many appeals of justice from his parents. In 1998 the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust was made in his honour to help support design and architecture students.
The trust supports young people from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds to financially support them through their degree.
For more information on the trust or how to apply for the 2012 bursary, visit www.stephenlawrence.org.uk or call 0208 100 2800.