“I really admire the commitment the school gives to identifying and supporting the prospective and actual beneficiaries of the bursaries. It takes real time and effort to build and maintain relationships with all of Bradford’s state primary schools.”

David Allanson

OLD BRADFORDIAN (1974)
DONOR

“I have always given money to charities. Initially I donated in a haphazard manner. Fifteen years ago I decided to be more focused in my approach. Like many people I looked to support charities that meant something to me. I considered cancer and dementia research – diseases which took the lives of my parents. Ultimately, I plumped for a 50/50 split between the Bursary programme at BGS and outreach efforts at my Oxford college, Queen’s.

Since that choice I have increased the percentage I give to BGS because I really admire the commitment the school gives to identifying and supporting the prospective and actual beneficiaries of the bursaries. It takes real time and effort to build and maintain relationships with all of Bradford’s state primary schools.

I have met the children I have supported. Their achievements have been very different but they have all been lively and inquisitive. Unfortunately, there are still fewer bursaries that there were scholarships in the direct grant days. At a time when the cost of private education is crowding out many parents who would dearly love to send their offspring to BGS we are in danger of underutilising a fantastic resource. That would be a crying shame.

I was asked recently by my accountant what I was planning to do with my state pension. He then told me my options. I thought them over, decided I didn’t need the money and have committed to using it all to support the bursary scheme at BGS. With gift aid it will get very close to supporting one child a year. But that is not enough. Many other Old Bradfordians have had successful careers. How many will follow my example? Are there ten of you? I urge you to think about it.”