QKS students get a DofE boost

Posted on December 19, 2019 | News

Disadvantaged students at Kendal’s Queen Katherine School (QKS) have benefited from a community fund dedicated to supporting worthwhile local causes.

Russell Armer Homes directs thousands of pounds’ worth of funding every year through a special trust managed by Cumbria Community Foundation (CCF) to support grassroots groups in the towns and villages where the company is building new homes. Recent recipients of a CCF grant include a bursary fund at Queen Katherine School in Kendal to help disadvantaged students take part in Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions.

At QKS, the opportunities afforded to students via the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme are highly valued. The Russell Armer Homes grant helps more young people access expeditions and activities, regardless of their personal circumstances. The money is used to pay fees and to provide some equipment, as well as to provide additional support for students with disabilities.

In a recent CCF report, a spokesperson for the school said: ‘This year we had a visually impaired student complete her Silver award. Her expedition group received guided sight training by QKS staff in order to assist her on walking on rough ground. She did amazingly well and says her self-confidence has massively improved.’

Martyn Nicholson, Managing Director at Russell Armer Homes says: ‘We are delighted to be able to aid local communities, especially where clubs and organisations help disadvantaged groups or encourage young people to explore new activities. We’re looking forward to supporting more worthy local causes in 2020.’