Running the Yorkshire marathon

Last year I was one of the lucky few to receive a York Opportunity Scholarship, which was such a massive help to me because it meant that I could focus on my studies without stressing about money. I would like to raise money so that someone else can have the Opportunity that I had.

Who am I?

My name is Andrew and I will shortly be commencing my second year studying an Undergraduate Law Degree.

My story

At 29, I almost never even made it to University. I grew up in a poor working class area, and since none of my family had been been to higher education they didn't think that I should either. I was told instead to get a paying job- ANY paying job- and be happy with that.

But I never quite was happy - I always wondered if I had more to give than I was able to working in hotels, bars and restaurants. I qualified as a Personal Trainer to try something different, but it didn't have the stability I needed in a job. So I plucked up the courage to give University a go. I went back to college, alongside working a full time job, and got the grades to be accepted into one of the best Law schools in the Country.

One of the scariest things about re-entering education as an adult is the thought of paying bills without a steady wage coming in. I know plenty of people in their late 20s and 30s who are miserable in their jobs, but can't quite bring themselves to take that take that leap from a paid job. The more commitments (partners, spouses, children, mortgages), the more terrifying this becomes.

Where will the money go?

Receiving the York Opportunity Scholarship, in addition to being eligible for a Bursary, took a lot that pressure off me. Instead of working part-time for extra cash, I've been able to devote myself to the extra reading required to get the top grades in Law. And what do you know, this person who almost never went to University was the fourth highest in my cohort last year!

I have every intention of donating to the scheme when I am able to financially. But for now, I would like to dedicate my time (and feet) to try and give somebody else an Opportunity to excel. The scholarship is £3300 over the three years, which I would like to reach.

I have paid the £40 entry fee. ALL of the money raised will go straight into funding a York Opportunity Scholarship.

So please... give generously, it means more than you know! 

Help me succeed!

• You don't need to give money to help me succeed! Please share this project with anyone you think would support us – on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, by email, telephone, in a chat over the fence or on your blog.
• In fact, share it with everyone you know, the more people who know about it, the more likely we are to make this work out brilliantly.
• And I know I said you don't need to give money to help us, but I'd love it if you did! Please sponsor me and help make this happen.