The Andrew Rudd Scholarship for care leavers
The Rudd Family Foundation’s generous donation to the Friends is enabling students leaving the care system to fulfil their potential and make the most of their Sussex experience.
Andrew and Jinny Rudd
Research has shown that young people in care have significantly poorer educational and life outcomes than the general population on average. The Office for Students reports that only 13% of pupils who have been in the care system for 12 months or more enter higher education, compared to the national average of 43%.
Now, the largest ever philanthropic donation for undergraduate students at Sussex, a gift from the Rudd Family Foundation via the Friends of the University of Sussex, is transforming the lives of young care leavers people. The program is intended to support living costs while studying at Sussex, enabling those who have grown up in the care system to make the most of their student experience, as well as give them an opportunity to flourish academically.
I was worried that I might struggle financially at university because I am a care-leaver, but with the support of the Andrew Rudd Scholarship that weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”ANONYMOUS ANDREW RUDD SCHOLAR
Jinny Rudd, Andrew’s wife and co-founder of the philanthropic Rudd Family Foundation says:
“Andrew began his university career as an undergraduate at Sussex and education has always been important to him and our family as a way to expand opportunities and choices in life. Andrew now suffers from Alzheimer’s, but we know he would feel privileged that this scholarship is supporting students who face challenges in their lives. In this way, his belief in and passion for education can be passed on to students who are just embarking on their university journeys.”
We are hugely grateful to the Rudd Family Foundation for supporting our ambitions for this group of students through the Andrew Rudd Scholarship Program.