Scholarship launched in memory of Lisa awards 100th bursary

A CHARITY set up in memory of a Solent University student who tragically died in a car accident has awarded 100 bursaries since it was set up in 2002.

At a recent ceremony held at the university five students were given money from the Lisa Wilson Scholarship Fund to help them reach the “educational dreams and ambitions” that she achieved.

Lisa, who grew up in the New Forest, was on a trip to Australia when she was killed at the age of 23. She was the first member of her family to go university and had gained a degree in business management.

Her parents, Clive and Trish who are from Nomansland, set up the fund to honour their daughter and help students who need additional funding, or have overcome adversity to go to university – and for many the award has been the difference in attending or not.

To date more than £291,000 has been handed out by the fund with every £1,000 representing a year in a student’s life. The bursary is given for up to three years.

The five young people to receive an award this year were presented with their cheques at the ceremony by Lisa’s father.

One of the students is James Bright whose mother Andrea has worked for Mr Wilson’s company SES Autoparts for more than 20 years.

At the ceremony Mr Wilson also presented each recipient with a copy of his book The Friends of Gasparilla which tells the story of the wild animals which live on Gasparilla nature reserve, Florida.

The Wilson family had a home there for several years. Mr Wilson wrote the book for his grandchildren, and it was illustrated by his daughter-in-law Donna Wilson who is an artist.

The book is now on sale and all profits will go to the fund. It is available online at www.thefriendsofgasparilla.com for £4.99 and in local book shops.