Old Eastbournian
Foundation and Development Focus A year of ambition, generosity, and community
A s we close the chapter on 2024, I am delighted to report that the Foundation and Development office has had a remarkable year, one filled with ambitious targets, fresh ideas, continuing support and generosity, and a true sense of community. In a time of economic and political uncertainty, not only have we held firm, but we have continued to thrive, thanks to the resilience and commitment of you, our supporters. Your loyalty is essential in order for our schools to continue to grow and succeed in everything we do and we send you a heartfelt thank you.
of friendship, achievement, and the values that unite us. We are grateful to Old Eastbournian General The Lord Richards of Herstmonceux who was our host for the evening and Brigadier Anthony Lamb whose poignant reflections on the history of the CCF at Eastbourne College and inspiring words about its future, encapsulated the essence of our schools and the values we hold dear. A report is on page 14. The evening was a sell-out, but for those who missed out, we are returning to the engine room of British democracy on Friday 5 September when the Annual Dinner will be held at the House of Commons. Please book your tickets via the website: www.eastbourniansociety.org. Bursary recipients: The heart of what we do At the core of everything we do are the pupils whose lives are transformed by the generosity of our supporters. Our bursary recipients continue to impress, not just with their academic achievements but with the way they embrace a whole host of opportunities given to them. They are a
giving little and often, can have a profound impact, a message that has resonated deeply within our community, fuelling support for the Blue Sky Bursaries appeal. In particular, a network that was sometimes viewed perhaps as an out of touch ‘old boys club’ has become increasingly ‘co-ed’ and we are delighted that the entrepreneurial spirit of a younger crowd is flourishing across the globe (and across the genders!) and is showing their support through regular giving. The power of collective giving has never been stronger as alumni, parents and friends come together to change lives through education. Do watch the film by heading to www.blueskybursaries.org where you can also view some stories of the transformational support your contributions have funded for young people, and join the regular giving scheme. A night to remember: The House of Lords dinner There was a real sense of occasion at the House of Lords in February, as we marked 75 years of the CCF in the UK. The gathering was an inspirational celebration
Reaching for the skies – literally The unusual and inspiring sight of a hot air balloon rising over College Field on both the St Andrew’s and Eastbourne College Speech days (and featured on the cover of this magazine) was a fitting symbol of our shared aspirations, and served as a reminder of just how high we can soar when we work together. Through fundraising efforts, mentoring, networking, donating, volunteering and simply through staying connected with each other, we reach for the sky together, exploring new horizons, and we simply couldn’t do it without you. The power of small gestures: Caffè Sospeso and regular giving I hope by now, you will have all seen our Caffè Sospeso film. Inspired by the Italian tradition of paying it forward with a cup of coffee, this initiative is capturing hearts and has sparked an extraordinary response. The film illustrates how small, regular acts of generosity, like The Caffè Sospeso film
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