Making a difference

Charlotte Mortimer was a second-year Agriculture student at SRUC when she was awarded the Gregor Thomas Royan Lamb Bursary for Future Farmers. The bursary was established by the Lamb family to commemorate Gregor, to support other young students who, like their son, do not come from a farming background but have shown and demonstrated true commitment and passion for agriculture.

“The Gregor Lamb bursary has allowed me to undertake extra courses to learn skills that students who grew up on farms would already know,” said Charlotte. “I’ve done a hoof-trimming course at SRUC Barony, and I’m also keen to do some chainsaw and telehandler courses.

“Studying takes a lot of time. To have this financial security means I don’t have to work as many extra shifts and now I can be an active member of my Young Farmers Club. I’ve also become a campus officer for the SRUC Student Association, which I wouldn’t have even thought about doing if it wasn’t for the bursary.”

A Traxter HD10 utility vehicle has been donated to students studying Gamekeeping and Wildlife Management at SRUC’s Elmwood campus in Fife by a generous local landowner.

The vehicle, which seats six people and has a loading compartment at the back for equipment, will enable more off-road practical activities to be undertaken as part of the course. It will also be used on shoot days to ferry people around.

“This will serve the needs of students and the gamekeeping department whilst enhancing our opportunities to undertake practical activities within the local estate that we help to manage," said Jim Goodlad, Course Tutor for Gamekeeping and Wildlife Management.

“Our donor manages his flora and fauna with biodiversity as a key foundation platform, integrated with game management interests. This has opened up opportunities for students to undertake work placements, which is a fundamental part of the gamekeeping curriculum. It is hard to express my delight, gratitude and appreciation for such a wonderful donation.”

A generous donation from the David Doig Foundation will fund the "David Doig Bursary" for a Further Education student moving into Higher Education. It will also allow SRUC to pay student leaders to run peer support groups.

The Foundation, administered by Foundation Scotland, was set up in memory of David Doig, who was a passionate believer in lifelong education having left school with no qualifications.

“I am delighted to honour my late husband’s memory by supporting SRUC and the great work that they do," said Gillian Doig. "It is exciting that the David Doig bursary will help to broaden horizons and build futures. This investment will go a long way to enhance and enrich the education journey of future worthy learners and leaders.”

“Leading a Peer Support Group is a great way to build confidence, develop skills and enhance employability – all while building communities that support other students to learn and develop," said Pauline Hanesworth, Head of Learning and Teaching at SRUC. "We are grateful to receive this gift which will help us renumerate students for their leadership activities, help more students get involved, and support students to feel like they belong at SRUC.”