WHAT IS THE BURSARY FUND

The provision of Bursaries enriches our School, raises academic standards and expands the educational opportunity for children from a wide range of social backgrounds. We offer talented children transformational opportunities with an excellent education full of breadth and experience to fulfill their potential and prepare them to thrive in society.

We offer Bursary support of up to 100% of fees depending on financial circumstances and currently have over 60 pupils who are supported in some way. We would like to do more for the 30+ children we turn away each year who apply to the School for a place at 11+. Join us in our mission to preserve the rich philanthropic tradition of founder John Lyon and be a part of transforming a life today.

Donating to support the Bursary Fund means we can provide more opportunities through open access to those whose potential is far greater than their financial means.

OL IN MEMORIAM BURSARY FUND APPEAL

Paul Matarewicz and Michael Foster launched an appeal in memory of their dear friend, Jeremy Geelan (OL 1975) with the support of his family and brother, Mike Geelan (OL 1973), to raise money to for a child local to Harrow from a disadvantaged financial background to attend John Lyon. They felt strongly about giving something back to the School while paying it forward to give someone else the same life opportunities they felt they had, thanks to attending John Lyon School.

Many other OLs have chosen to remember Jeremy Geelan by donating to the Bursary Fund in his memory and committing their support through an annual donation for 7 years with the goal of enabling a child to attend John Lyon from year 7 through to Sixth Form. We have raised £19,251 to date (May 2021) since inception in November 2019. This total will currently support a pupil for one year so we have quite a way to go! Every gift makes a difference - by giving in numbers we can make an even bigger difference! If you would like to contribute to the OL in memoriam Bursary Fund, please get in touch.

Thank you to all the OLs below who have supported this so far, we are very grateful for your support.

John Ainsworth, Neil Altman, Michael Betts, Mike Christelow, Simon Flamank, Michael Foster, Anthony Goldstein, Gordon Hamme, Julian Korn (on behalf of Spencer Hart Charitable Trust), Michael Kwan, Paul Matarewicz, Anthony McClaran, Paul Montague, Ian Pickett, Paul Raby, Robert Shaw, Michael Smith, Robert Steen, Anthony Taylor, Andrew Woodend, Jeremy Wray

IN MEMORY OF JEREMY GEELAN

Jeremy Geelan (OL 1975)

"Jeremy was always said to have a way with words. Vocal in the classroom and somewhat of a leader in team sports. He remained a Middlesex badminton champion unbeaten for 2 years. In School football, and later in the old boys football, the energy and passion he put into his pre-match motivational chats talking about the virtues of the perfect shade of the grass and the shape and weight of the football, indeed words became his life. First as founding editor, whilst studying at Cambridge, of his own magazine then as a script writer for the BBC on 'Jim'll Fix It'. In the early 80s he worked as a freelancer and various other things until he finally found his niche as the owner of a book publishing company specialising in issues concerning the future and what lies ahead. This led him to be regarded as a leading guru explaining the emerging world and the internet through various mediums - media, global conferences and via social media. A confident public speaker, Jeremy could talk about anything to anyone and frequently did! He lived most of his nomadic life in Denmark, plus a four year stint across Belgium, Estonia and Nepal, he was also able to effortlessly share his message in five different languages. In his final years he devoted his time to singlehandedly raising awareness of and trying to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. Why not? he would say, someone has to. Jeremy would have been one of the first to acknowledge the kick start he was given by spending seven years at John Lyon School." - Mike Geelan (OL 1973)