Stephen Crainey (Diploma in Professional Legal Practice Student)

I applied to the John Fitzsimons Memorial Fund after securing a place on the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Practice and finding myself experiencing financial hardship. I have career ambitions of becoming a qualified practicing solicitor to strive for justice. 

When applying for a John Fitzsimons Scholarship, I was a single parent attempting to balance my legal studies, part-time job, and raise a young family whilst pursuing a future legal career. 

Much like Mr Fitzsimons, I came from a different background from many who go to university, but I always had a keen interest in the law. I come from a humble, working-class family, where both of my parents worked hard to provide for the family. I never thought that I would ever go to university. I am the first person in my family to do so. 

I previously undertook an apprenticeship when I left school and became a horticultural engineer but was made redundant in 2015. I was unemployed and had no real hopes for the future at that time. However, after careful consideration, when the opportunity to return to education and to potentially have a future career in law came along, I seized the chance and have not looked back since. 

Due to the circumstances, and in an effort to give my children and myself a brighter future, I decided to return to education as a mature student in 2016. I completed an NQ Introduction to Law before an HNC in Legal Services at college. I was then accepted to study LLB Law at university. Having completed my undergraduate degree, I was then fortunate enough to be offered a place on the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Strathclyde, however, there were financial barriers in front of me. Therefore, I am entirely grateful for the help that I received from the John Fitzsimons Memorial Fund. 

The financial support of the scholarship not only allowed me to progress my studies, it also boosted my confidence by showing me that others believed that I could achieve my goals. This came at a vital time in my journey. I feel that I have come so far from the place where I found myself in 2015. I was unemployed and had no real hopes for the future at that time. I am now a trainee solicitor working towards qualification and this would not have been possible if it were not for the help and support of the John Fitzsimons Memorial Fund. 

I look forward to promoting and supporting the fund in the future to help others achieve their academic and career goals despite facing financial hardship.

Karen Russell (Diploma in Professional Legal Practice Student)

I was delighted to be awarded a scholarship from the John Fitzsimons Memorial Fund as without it my journey in education would not have been possible.

I am a mother of four children, working part time in a solicitor’s office, which can be challenging both physically, mentally and financially, without the added costs of funding my graduate entry fees for the LLB.

Eleven years ago I had the opportunity to study the LLB programme at Strathclyde, however due to my son being stillborn, I withdrew from the course and life became extremely difficult for quite some time. 

After the breakdown of my marriage, I moved with my children to a Scottish island.  I had given up all thoughts of pursuing a legal career or studies given the travel and accessibility of attending university. 

However, by 2020 with my children being older and the opportunity to progress within the company, I found that going back to studying might be possible, although not without its challenges given Covid and the island ferry situation, but very worthwhile.

Yet none of this would be possible without the financial help of a John Fitzsimons Scholarship. I will be forever thankfully to have been awarded this funding to progress my career and have a secure future for myself and my children.

I look forward to being able to promote and support this fund in the future to help others who due to financial barriers cannot pursue their desire to further their education and career.