Andrew Roberts, Managing Director of Bury-based Pennine Telecom, has made a £1,000 corporate donation to help the 2010 Fund towards its target of £60,000. Launched by Bolton College and the University of Bolton the fund aims to promote further collaboration between the two institutions and encourage students to progress from college to university study.
The 2010 Fund was launched by Dr Bob Oxtoby, former Principal of Bolton Institute which is now the University of Bolton. Dr. Oxtoby, who is currently Chair of Governors at Bolton College, kick-started the fund with a personal donation which was matched by both the University and the College.
Pennine’s donation will help to support scholarships for local full time students from Bolton College who wish to pursue degrees in business, IT, construction, civil engineering, public and health services or sport at the University of Bolton. Personal donations are currently eligible for Gift Aid and the University participates in the government’s Match Funding Scheme so for every £1,000 raised the government will contribute an extra £500.
Mr. Roberts, who studied Radio and Television Servicing at Bolton College in mid-1970s, said he was delighted to support the 2010 Fund and its aims. “I owe a debt of gratitude to Bolton College, not just for helping me to secure a vital qualification, but for getting me an interview all those years ago with Pennine Telecom. Without Bolton College, I may not have achieved what I have done. I’m delighted to be able to return the favour by supporting such a worthwhile scheme and hope that those that that are fortunate enough to benefit from a scholarship seize with both hands the opportunities their education then provides.”
The donation by Pennine underlines the company’s wider commitment to supporting education and training initiatives, particularly in the engineering field. It promotes keenly its apprenticeship scheme through local schools and colleges and recently hosted female students from across the UK at its headquarters as part of a scheme to encourage women to follow careers in science and engineering.