Cumbrian medical school receives gift to support future doctors
A medical school has received a gift designed to support the next generation of Cumbrian doctors.
The Pears Cumbria School of Medicine (PCSM), based at the University of Cumbria, has received funding from the Angela Pattman Scholarship Trust, administered by the Genesis Research Trust, founded by Lord Robert Winston.
The scholarship will help remove financial barriers for students hoping to pursue a career in medicine.
Lord Robert Winston and students at St John Henry Newman (Image: Supplied) During a recent visit to the school, Lord Winston took part in a campus tour and a session with students and university leaders.
Professor Julie Mennell, vice chancellor at the University of Cumbria, said: "We are honoured to welcome Lord Robert Winston to the University of Cumbria and very grateful for the generous gift to support aspiring doctors training in and for Cumbria, serving patients and our communities now and in the future.
"His visit has been inspirational and offers an opportunity for young people in Carlisle to engage with one of the UK's most distinguished scientists and communicators.
"Lord Winston's insight will leave a lasting impression, reminding us all of the vital role science plays in shaping our future."
Lord Winston in the maternity room at UoC (Image: Supplied) During the visit, Lord Winston met students from St John Henry Newman Catholic School in Carlisle and spoke about science, and the value of medical education.
The school's involvement was arranged by Hello Future, a University of Cumbria-led partnership of 16 education and skills organisations from Cumbria and Lancashire that supports 11 to 18-year-olds with information about higher education and career pathways.
The new bursary scheme is designed to offer opportunities to students who may otherwise struggle to access the profession.
The PCSM is a collaboration between the University of Cumbria and Imperial College London.
Lord Winston, professor of science and society and emeritus professor of fertility studies at Imperial College London, is widely recognised for his pioneering work in fertility treatment, including advances in IVF and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis.
He is also known for his broadcasting career on BBC programmes such as Your Life in Their Hands and The Human Body.
A spokesperson for the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine said: "This generous gift supporting PCSM bursaries represents an important step in fostering inclusivity in medical education, opening doors for students who may otherwise face challenges in accessing the profession.
"PCSM are very grateful to Lord Winston and the Angela Pattman Scholarship Trust for their support and for the significant impact this offering will make on the futures of our medical students."
Lord Winston also toured the university's medical and science facilities during his visit.
The school aims to train doctors who will go on to serve communities across Cumbria and the North West, with a focus on meeting the specific healthcare needs of the region.
It is part of a broader effort to address the shortage of medical professionals in underserved and rural areas.
The University of Cumbria has described the scholarship as an 'important step' towards making medical careers more accessible.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Yahoo
Man who 'would be dead' without charity appeals for donations amid funding shortfall
A CUMBRIAN man who says he 'would have died' without the help of the air ambulance when he was involved in a brewery explosion last year has urged people to donate to the organisation. The appeal comes following news that 2025 fundraising appeal for the vital Great North Air Ambulance Service has fallen behind target. The charity, which provides life-saving care to critically ill and injured people across the North of England and the Isle of Man, relies on donations from the public to remain operational. Unfortunately, their appeal, which helps fund the service, has failed to reach the same level of success as previous years. Leigh Taylor, a 44-year-old from Seaton, was working on May 13, 2024, when he was engulfed by a fireball and badly burned in a blast at the Tractor Shed Brewery in Workington. Speaking about how the air ambulance helped him that awful day, Leigh said: 'Last year I was involved in an accident at work, an explosion and I was in a critical condition, the air ambulance responded, air ambulance Doctor Patrick Duncan was the first one to respond, he responded in a vehicle and put me in an induced coma. 'I was flown to Newcastle RVI with 40% burns to my body; my legs, hands and face and they were basically the first link in the chain that saved my life that day.' 'I would have died; without a shadow of a doubt I would have died without them. 'I wouldn't have got to the RVI where they have a specialist burns unit, I wouldn't have got there in time on a road ambulance.' In April, Leigh visited the GNAAS' base, where he had the opportunity to discuss his incident with Dr Duncan and find out more information about what happened in the aftermath. Appealing to people to donate to the charity, Leigh said: 'I would just appeal to people to think (about donating). I had always given 5p in a charity bucket or something for the air ambulance always given loose change, but go and directly donate: five, ten, twenty pounds I would ask people to consider that because if you're like me you never know. 'You never think it's going to be you until it's you, I'd just ask people to spare a thought for that and give what they can to the air ambulance.' It currently costs £9.3m a year to fund the service, which equates to just over £25,200 per day. Joe Garcia, interim chief executive officer at GNAAS, said: 'The past few years have been challenging for GNAAS, and as time goes on, our aircraft are aging and the cost of running this service is increasing, whilst charitable support across all charities is dropping. 'In 2024 we were predicted to run at a deficit and go into our limited reserves just to keep us flying, and we don't want history to repeat itself.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Cumbrian man recognised for work on King's Birthday Honours list
A Cumbrian man has been recognised for his services to neurodiversity in The King's Birthday Honours list. Robert Walker, from Penrith, has received the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his support. He is the Neurodiversity Network Founder within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. READ MORE: Family set up free heart screening weekend in memory of son On receiving the reward, Robert said: "I'm very proud to be recognised for services to neurodiversity in Defra. "To me, this award is about the brilliant people in the Neurodiversity Network. They have worked together to make Defra more inclusive for neurodivergent colleagues, helping them feel more empowered, understood, and supported. "Since founding the network, I have seen it grow into a vibrant community of over 1,100 members. It's been a privilege to lead its evolution, whilst working alongside many passionate, brave individuals, to make change happen. "Thank you to everyone who has championed this work so far. I truly believe the best is still to come." The network was set up in 2008 to cultivate and integrate a workplace culture that embraces and celebrates all neuro-differences, with the aim of creating a collaborative work environment where individuals can thrive. Robert has worked for Defra for over 33 years, first joining the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Cumbrian college students showcase robotic solutions at RAICo1
Young engineers from three Cumbrian colleges have showcased their creativity and technical skills in a hands-on robotics challenge. Students aged 16 to 18 presented their Robotics Sprint schools challenge creations at an event held at the RAICo1 Robotics and AI Collaboration facility in Whitehaven. The six-week programme, organised by the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo) and Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH), tasked students with designing, building, and programming robots to solve a simulated nuclear decommissioning problem. The six-week programme was organised by the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo) and Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH) (Image: Supplied) Students from West Coast Sixth Form, Energy Coast UTC, and Lakes College West Cumbria developed robots to retrieve and transport high-hazard waste barrels from a mock "hot cell" environment. Kirsty Hewitson, director at RAICo, said: "What a truly marvellous day, thanks to everybody who's contributed to it. "It's amazing to see how enthusiastic and committed the students have been with some phenomenal designs and outcomes. "One of my favourite days of the year." Students presenting their solutions in front of an audience at RAICo1 (Image: Supplied) The challenge included weekly "sprint" sessions, where students worked on mechanical design, coding, and teamwork, guided by industry professionals from the fields of robotics, engineering, and AI. Teams presented their solutions in front of an audience of industry delegates, educators, and judges at the final event. They discussed the challenges they faced, the skills they developed, and gave live demonstrations of their robots in action. The six-week challenge tasked students with designing, building, and programming robots to solve a simulated nuclear decommissioning problem (Image: Supplied) West Coast Sixth Form was named the winning team for their robot, "Better Monty." Abigail Gibbon, one of the winning students, said: "It's made me want to consider robotics in the future." The project gave participants practical experience in applying their studies—such as A levels and T levels in digital and cybersecurity—to real-world engineering problems. The students hailed from West Coast Sixth Form, Energy Coast UTC, and Lakes College West Cumbria (Image: Supplied) Gary McKeating, managing director of iSH, praised the students' performance, saying said: "I'm always amazed by the ability of the students to deliver on a project that only lasts a few weeks. "As well as the technical skills, it's great to see some of the softer skills have been worked on as well. "In particular, Lakes College powering through some challenges early in the sprint and getting to a great conclusion with their robot." The event was supported by volunteers from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and Sellafield Ltd. One of the student's robotic creations (Image: Supplied) James Partington, director of engineering policy and impact at IMechE, said: "It was fantastic to see the hard work of the students come to fruition at RAICo1 today. "It was a practical application of science, and they demonstrated an excellent grasp of different engineering disciplines in delivering their demonstrator robots, which will no doubt put them in a strong position as they take steps towards a career in engineering. "The support from the IMechE, iSH, RAICo and industry representatives is very welcome. "Their collaborative effort to inspire and support the next generation of engineers is working well and will benefit the West Cumbria region through the creation of a strong pipeline of future engineers." RAICo and iSH are now encouraging organisations to support future school sprints. Anyone interested is invited to contact communications@ for more information or to register their interest.
