The Late John Connelly Award winner announced

The Late John Connelly Award is an annual award supported by former University Governor, Patrica Hodgson OBE, in memory of her father and contributes towards  a once in a lifetime opportunity to undertake a study/volunteering trip to a health development outside of the UK.

This year’s award winner, Coral Bisson, recently met with Patricia to share her story about her elective placement experience overseas. Coral said:

“Thank you for aiding me to challenge myself as an individual and experience a different side of healthcare and the world. This invaluable opportunity completely changed me as a person. I have gained the awareness of how privileged I am to have grown up in a place where my education was always prioritised, and I was always provided with the resources for success and the opportunities to develop and grow in my professional and personal life”.

The annual award is made in memory of John Connelly, Patricia’s father, who contracted Malaria while stationed in Java during the second world war, and which badly affected his hearing. As a result he was a keen supporter of making vaccines available to all children at risk. It was his lifelong regret that he was never given the opportunity to undertake study at university. His life gave him an understanding and empathy with the suffering of others. The award was established by Patricia in order to provide others with an educational opportunity to work with health development projects which aim to contribute to human happiness and well-being.

Patricia advises that as John himself said, “Small actions can make a big difference”. Find out more or get involved in giving here.