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    Chelsea ace Raheem Sterling handing out tuition-fees to help more Black students get into university

    FOOTIE ace Raheem Sterling is helping more Black, African, and Caribbean heritage students go to university.It will be the second year of the scholarship programme from the foundation named after him.Raheem Sterling is continuing his efforts to get more Black students into top universitiesCredit: GettyHe says that many students are put off applying due to the potential for financial strain on their familyCredit: The Raheem Sterling FoundationHis initiative comes as research found that from 2021-22 fewer than five per cent of UK students starting undergraduate degrees at Russell Group universities were black.The Chelsea and England player, 29, will give a financial boon to 14 successful applicants to get them through higher education without worrying about having enough cash.Raheem told The Sun: “You only have to look at the data to see that very few capable and talented students from minority backgrounds are applying for university.“A lot of that hesitation stems from the anxiety that the financial strain can place on not only the student but their family.READ MORE ON RAHEEM STERLING“There are plenty of young people from challenging backgrounds, from minority communities, that have the talent to really make a difference in this world, but they are hit by obstacle after obstacle.“I wanted the Foundation to take away some of that worry and allow young people to focus on maximising that talent, whether that be at university or other.”The grants are for students attending King’s College London and the University of Manchester.Potential students can only apply for the grants if they have accepted an offer to study at one of the universities.Most read in FootballIt covers tuition fees, accommodation expenses and other essential educational costs, allowing students to focus on their studies rather than affording to live.Research by the Department of Education found that worries about living costs and day-to-day finances are one of the top concerns of students.Inside England’s stunning five-star Euro 2024 base with robot waiters that will cost £800,000One previous grant recipient in London said: “It has helped me massively by taking away my financial burdens. “Having the financial means for transport, clothes, food and other expenses is costly, especially in London.“I had more time to focus on my studies, very useful in busy exam periods.”A law student at Manchester who was given the funding last year said: “The grant has given me the gift of time, allowing me to work on my professional development and craft a successful application to Rare Foundations: Law, a highly competitive programme for students interested in commercial law.”They also told how the foundation provided networking opportunities and specialist CV workshops.Another recipient told how it has “given me peace of mind” allowing them to focus on their university life.The scheme also provides three-years of mentorship for each of the beneficiaries, something Raheem credits with turning his life around.He said: “I’ve loved hearing from our first-year scholars and how they have benefitted not only from the financial support but the mentorship programme too.“To me, this is just as valuable as the education.“Mentorship played a huge role in me reaching the top levels of professional football, and I want other young ones to benefit from the guidance and support that a mentor can offer them.“We really want to build upon this scholarship programme. “This year we have made 14 places available across King’s College London and University of Manchester and I’m hoping, moving forward, that we can positively impact more lives in minority and underserved communities.”The Raheem Sterling Foundation is focused on helping improve social mobility, education, and employment opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.READ MORE SUN STORIESOther initiatives the charity supports include the #BoyFromBrent project, which has put amnesty knife bins across London’s Brent borough, and a broadcast academy linked to talkSPORT and News UK.
    The deadline to apply for the grants is May 30 and can be applied for on the websites of King’s College London and The University of Manchester. More

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    Kind-hearted Chelsea ace Raheem Sterling to pay to put 14 poor students through uni

    ENGLAND star Raheem Sterling is to pay to put 14 poor students through university.The Chelsea winger is offering scholarships to youngsters of black, African and Caribbean heritage to tackle the equality gap.
    Raheem Sterling is to pay to put 14 poor students of black, African and Caribbean heritage through universityCredit: Getty
    It comes after a study said fewer than five per cent of Brits starting degrees at the UK’s top 24 universities were black.
    Over the next three years, Sterling will fund seven students at The University of Manchester and King’s College London, both in the select Russell Group.
    The offer is open to young people in Greater Manchester and London.
    Dad-of-four Sterling, 28, said: “I hope this initiative will be a real game changer.”
    read more on Raheem Sterling
    University of Manchester’s president, Prof Dame Nancy Rothwell, said the cash would help talented black students “realise their potential”.
    President and principal of King’s College London, Prof Shitij Kapur, said the initiative would help “under-represented students . . . become the change-makers of the future”.
    Clive Ellington, Chair of Trustees at the Raheem Sterling Foundation, added: “We believe that access to better education and employment opportunities should be made fair to all young people regardless of financial circumstances and background.
    “The work we do is in pursuit of improving their opportunities, future careers and quality of life and we won’t rest until we succeed in Raheem’s vision of achieving this.
    Most read in Football
    “Partnering with two of the UK’s most outstanding universities, whose strive for change mirrors that of ours, is a real highlight in our journey to date, and we couldn’t be happier to announce our commitment to them and the students over the next three years.’’
    Funding is via the Raheem Sterling Foundation.
    Each university will offer two this year. More

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    Irish boxing legend Bernard Dunne all smiles as he graduates with a Masters from University of Limerick

    FORMER world boxing champ Bernard Dunne has graduated with a Masters from University of Limerick.The Dubliner has completed his course and has now graduated as a Master of Science in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology.
    The Dubliner is one of over 700 people to graduate from the University of LimerickCredit: True Media Sean Curtin
    Proud daughter Caoimhe and wife Pamela were there to be celebrate with BernardCredit: True Media Sean Curtin
    He was among more than 700 students who attended the ceremony, the first since the pandemic from the faculties of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Education and Health Sciences and Science and Engineering.
    Bernard said he “started the course a number of years ago and absolutely loved it because I was already working in the area.
    “I had no grey hair before I started this course and look at me now.”
    Speaking of the Masters, he said: “I loved it – it helped frame and gave me tools to use immediately with athletes, with coaches, with management, so that gave me instant tools that were transferable into what I was doing.
    “I get asked to work with a lot of teams as performance coach and now I actually have a piece of paper which says I can do it. It is an amazing thing to have, my wife and my daughter are here and we are having a family day today – and it is just such a big occasion to graduate with a masters.”
    Speaking to graduates during the ceremony, UL President Professor Kerstin Mey congratulated the students for their success despite the challenges thrown up by COVID-19.
    She said: “Your journey through education has been exciting, challenging and indeed not without a great deal of effort and commitment, but today you are celebrating the fact that you have excelled academically and all while we faced some of the darkest and most challenging days in recent history.
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but my fame stops me playing, says Finn Tapp
    “Succeeding in the face of the COVID-19 cannot be underestimated as it shows tenacity, focus and strength of character for each and every one of you to be graduating here today.
    “Be proud of your accomplishment. I am sure, your family, your friends, your tutors and your peers share in that pride.” More