D J Moore Bursary Winners’ Stories – Wiltshire College & University Centre

Steph Hulford, Key Account & Development Manager for AHED at Ascentis, visited Wiltshire College & University Centre last month to present two winners of the D J Moore Bursary Awards with their well-deserved prizes.

The D J Moore Memorial Awards recognises students on Ascentis Access to Higher Education courses, who have demonstrated Outstanding Academic Achievement and Outstanding Commitment to Study. Read the Wiltshire College winners’ stories below…

Claire Harris won the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award after impressing the judges with her passion and determination.

The mum of six from Trowbridge, who started the course when her youngest was just five weeks old, said: “I knew that I had been nominated, which was lovely, but I was really shocked to find out that I had won.

“It is very nice to be recognised and the £400 that I received will go towards a family day out.”

Claire came back to College to go into nursing but soon realised with her results she could apply to study medicine.

She successfully gained one of only 270 medical places at the University of Bristol from more than 5,000 applications and said she is enjoying every second of studying to become a doctor.

Tiffany Greenwood was also awarded for her Outstanding Commitment to Study and received a cheque for £200.

The 21-year-old from Trowbridge has faced many challenges throughout her teens including having endometriosis as well as other debilitating conditions and her mum suffering from breast cancer.

All this became her motivation for wanting to pursue a career in cellular molecular medicine, with a long-term ambition of becoming a medial clinical researcher to help find treatments and cures for illnesses and diseases that have affected her and loved ones.

Tiffany, who is also at the University of Bristol, said: “I loved the Access to HE course and learned so much.

“It has been a struggle though at times and so it was really nice to be recognised by both my lecturer who nominated me and Ascentis.”

Access to HE lecturer Amanda Doherty nominated both students.

She said: “When I saw the D J Moore awards, both Claire and Tiffany stood out.

“Claire obtained 45 distinctions in psychology, biology and, which is incredible and testament to her dedication and energy.

“She was also a shoulder to lean on for other students and her approach to organising study groups and her support has helped her colleagues immensely.

“I am astounded that Tiffany has achieved so much in the face of such serious medical conditions and for getting 42 distinctions and one merit whilst being unwell and having had to undergo surgery.

“She is an exceptional young woman and will make an excellent scientist.”

Steph Hulford was pleased to present both Tiffany and Claire with their awards and prizes on behalf of Ascentis.

She said: “The Access to HE course is a life changing opportunity for people and I was delighted to come to the College to present these awards to these outstanding students. I wish them every success in their future careers.”

Ascentis run the D J Moore Bursary Awards each year with the nominations opening in September. If you would like further information please email [email protected].