James Watt College student, 29 year old Kirsty Conway from Greenock, has good reason to celebrate this festive season after being awarded £390 from the Jean Parker Brown Memorial Fund. The fund, established in memory of Dalry born Jean Parker Brown, is for mature female students studying in Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and the surrounding areas.

Car mechanic student Kirsty, who was nominated for the award by her lecturer Gerry Gibson, first came to study at James Watt College in September 2008. Before coming to College, Kirsty was a full-time mum raising her two boys, now 10 and 12. Kirsty said: “I was keen to return to education and decided I would do so when my children got a bit older. Although I was a bit apprehensive about returning as a mature student, I decided to take the plunge and in 2008 enrolled at James Watt College. I have always had an interest in cars and mechanics so the light goods repair and maintenance course at the college really appealed to me.

“I have really enjoyed my time at James Watt College so far. I have made some great friends, found the lecturing staff incredibly helpful and have gained an excellent grounding in mechanics. I am also hugely grateful to the College for putting me forward for the scholarship and would like to thank the Jean Parker Brown Memorial Fund for its support. This additional support will take a great deal of pressure off me which will allow me to continue with my studies until my course comes to an end in June 2009.”

The Jean Parker-Brown Memorial Fund is administered by the Scottish Community Foundation. Dale Gormley, from the Foundation, presented Kirsty with her cheque at the Finnart Street Campus on Thursday December 10. Speaking at the presentation, Dale said: “We award the Jean Parker Brown Memorial Fund to a mature female student each year and are thrilled to be presenting Kirsty with this cheque today. The Foundation works with a wide range of private and corporate clients to help them give effectively to causes close to their hearts. ”

Press release by Halogen Communications on behalf of James Watt College http://www.jameswatt.ac.uk