The Last Hurdle (Ph.D. Funding)
Donation protected
I am looking for help and support after £18,000 was heartbreakingly stolen from me on the 6th of September.
During my childhood, I lived with my mother and brother in an underprivileged estate where crime and drugs were rife. As a family, we had first-hand experience of this when our house was robbed at knifepoint. My life could have followed a very different path and I was often, disappointingly, tarred with the same brush as others from my estate. I always wanted more and I always strived to achieve something more for myself and my family. All I have ever wanted was to be able to help and support my parents in the way I had seen them both work so hard to help and support me.
University was often considered an unachievable dream, almost a joke to be brushed aside, but again I worked incredibly hard and pushed myself to achieve the grades required and was offered an unconditional place to study a B.Sc. in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Birmingham. Despite the constant uphill battles, I proudly worked my way to achieving a first class honours degree, subsequently, I gained my Master’s degree and was awarded a scholarship to undertake a full-time PhD investigating ‘The effect of lifelong exercise on muscle mass, function and regulation’ which I have almost completed. Throughout my studies I have supported myself by concurrently working almost full-time hours in a local restaurant; Carluccios. I have wrestled my own battles with depression and given up so much of myself in order to achieve my goals whilst supporting my family throughout their own health problems. I am proud of the way I have remained so positive and was able to financially support my younger brother who unfortunately struggles with mental health illness.
One of my proudest moments during my Ph.D. was being awarded an exceedingly prestigious award for my academic success; a Young Investigator Award from the European College of Sports Science. I am so close to finishing my studies and I have since been offered a postdoctoral research position in a highly esteemed laboratory in Canada (pending the successful completion of my Ph.D.). The focus of which would be investigating the underlying mechanisms of musculoskeletal ageing, in order to develop targeted therapeutic (i.e. nutritional and exercise) strategies promoting musculoskeletal health, independence and quality of life in older individuals. This would allow me to give something back by continuing to contribute to research focussed on looking after our older generation.
Devastatingly, on Thursday 6th September 2018, £18,000 was fraudulently stolen from my NatWest bank account (this money included financial awards for my academic achievements). I had specifically saved this money in order to ease any financial burdens for my family should they need it whilst I was away, alongside continuing to pay back the loans I had amassed during my studies and enabling me to pursue a career which I have fought so hard to achieve. One week following this, I received an email from NatWest stating they were not going to reimburse the funds. The theft of these funds from me so close to completion of my Ph.D. has left me feeling completely and utterly helpless; a broken man. It feels as though everything I have worked for over the previous 8 years has so unfairly been robbed from me.
As I don’t have the money to pursue this in court, it was recommended that I attempt crowdfunding as a last resort, so here is my appeal to you now. I am in desperate need of your help in raising £18,000.
I am aware that £18,000 is a huge sum of money, so any amount donated will be of great help and eternally appreciated. If you cannot donate, kindly share my story as this can be just as effective as donating.
During my childhood, I lived with my mother and brother in an underprivileged estate where crime and drugs were rife. As a family, we had first-hand experience of this when our house was robbed at knifepoint. My life could have followed a very different path and I was often, disappointingly, tarred with the same brush as others from my estate. I always wanted more and I always strived to achieve something more for myself and my family. All I have ever wanted was to be able to help and support my parents in the way I had seen them both work so hard to help and support me.
University was often considered an unachievable dream, almost a joke to be brushed aside, but again I worked incredibly hard and pushed myself to achieve the grades required and was offered an unconditional place to study a B.Sc. in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Birmingham. Despite the constant uphill battles, I proudly worked my way to achieving a first class honours degree, subsequently, I gained my Master’s degree and was awarded a scholarship to undertake a full-time PhD investigating ‘The effect of lifelong exercise on muscle mass, function and regulation’ which I have almost completed. Throughout my studies I have supported myself by concurrently working almost full-time hours in a local restaurant; Carluccios. I have wrestled my own battles with depression and given up so much of myself in order to achieve my goals whilst supporting my family throughout their own health problems. I am proud of the way I have remained so positive and was able to financially support my younger brother who unfortunately struggles with mental health illness.
One of my proudest moments during my Ph.D. was being awarded an exceedingly prestigious award for my academic success; a Young Investigator Award from the European College of Sports Science. I am so close to finishing my studies and I have since been offered a postdoctoral research position in a highly esteemed laboratory in Canada (pending the successful completion of my Ph.D.). The focus of which would be investigating the underlying mechanisms of musculoskeletal ageing, in order to develop targeted therapeutic (i.e. nutritional and exercise) strategies promoting musculoskeletal health, independence and quality of life in older individuals. This would allow me to give something back by continuing to contribute to research focussed on looking after our older generation.
Devastatingly, on Thursday 6th September 2018, £18,000 was fraudulently stolen from my NatWest bank account (this money included financial awards for my academic achievements). I had specifically saved this money in order to ease any financial burdens for my family should they need it whilst I was away, alongside continuing to pay back the loans I had amassed during my studies and enabling me to pursue a career which I have fought so hard to achieve. One week following this, I received an email from NatWest stating they were not going to reimburse the funds. The theft of these funds from me so close to completion of my Ph.D. has left me feeling completely and utterly helpless; a broken man. It feels as though everything I have worked for over the previous 8 years has so unfairly been robbed from me.
As I don’t have the money to pursue this in court, it was recommended that I attempt crowdfunding as a last resort, so here is my appeal to you now. I am in desperate need of your help in raising £18,000.
I am aware that £18,000 is a huge sum of money, so any amount donated will be of great help and eternally appreciated. If you cannot donate, kindly share my story as this can be just as effective as donating.
Organizer
James Mckendry
Organizer
