Lord Beaverbrook visited us at our helipad last week in recognition of his support for the charity through the Beaverbrook Foundation.

The Foundation, which supports charitable causes both in the UK and overseas, has generously committed to donate £20,000 per year for the next three years to our Institute of Pre-Hospital Care (“The Institute”). The money donated will support two students with £10,000 each per annum, as part of the scholarship programme for our Intercalated BSc (“The iBSc”) in Pre-Hospital Medicine.

Consultant at London’s Air Ambulance and Clinical Director of The Institute, Dr Gareth Grier said: “The Intercalated BSc in Pre-Hospital Medicine provides medical students with a formal way of studying the scientific basis of this ever-expanding and innovative field of medicine, offering an exciting insight into this fascinating specialty for doctors of the future. On behalf of all of us at the charity I would like to thank the Beaverbrook Foundation for its support with this.”

Offered in partnership with Queen Mary University of London, The BSc is the equivalent of a full degree condensed into one year, and is open for application to all students studying Medicine in the UK. The course is dedicated to educating on the treatment of serious injury and illness in the pre-hospital environment. An innovative and growing field, it is recognised as a sub-specialty by the General Medical Council and provides students with a strong foundation in the science and practical skills required for success in pre-hospital medicine.

Lord Beaverbrook and the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer Jane Ford met with Dr Gareth Grier, and our Chief Executive Officer, Graham Hodgkin. They also met The Institute’s two scholars for this current academic year, Oliver Malpass and Robert Willmore, who are benefiting from the Foundation’s generous support.

Oliver Malpass said: “I feel delighted and very grateful to have been selected for the Beaverbrook scholarship, as without it, it wouldn’t have been financially possible for me to study in London. I am most excited about learning from the experts in this field, and would recommend that future students apply for this opportunity too.”

Robert Willmore said: “I feel hugely privileged to have been awarded the scholarship, not only due to its prestigious nature, but also due to the undoubtedly high standard of the other applicants.

“Aside from the initial excitement of being awarded the scholarship, on reflection it will hopefully open many doors of opportunity in meeting some truly inspirational clinicians working in the pre-hospital arena. It is also an honour to work alongside like-minded students with a passion for prehospital care too.”

The Institute was founded in 2013 to build on and expand our research, innovation and education activities, with a mission to drive excellence in pre-hospital care standards. It supports and fosters collaboration across medical disciplines and institutions dedicated to improving outcomes for people afflicted by critical injury and illness.

The scholarship programmes will cover the full cost of The iBSc tuition fees for the duration of the programme from the start of the academic year to its finish for each scholar. It will also provide additional financial support for successful applicants to attend international or national conferences related to their studies.