1 August 2023
The Old Kirkhamians’ Association supports the school and its students, both past and present, in many ways. One of those ways is by overseeing the Sidney Crane Travel Fund.
Sidney Crane was a former deputy head of KGS who donated money to the school for the purpose of supporting Old Kirkhamians' travel expenses as they travelled abroad to do recognised charity expeditions. The monies raised from the raffle at the Annual Reunion Dinner are added to this fund each year. One of our recipients last year was Theo Randall (KGS 2011-2018). His report on his work in Northern Tanzania is below:
I left KGS in 2018, and since then, I have been studying Medicine at Newcastle University. Last year, I took the chance to intercalate and undertake a Masters by Research. I studied Global Health and was involved in research for three months in Northern Tanzania next to Kilimanjaro. Personally, I was involved in interviewing patients and healthcare staff to understand their views on care for older people in a Low or Middle Income Country.
The research itself was challenging; there was always a language barrier, making communication very difficult, and so many logistical issues! Not to mention, being there during the rainy season made trying to make it to remote villages in a 20-year-old land cruiser very exciting!
It was undoubtedly the opportunity of a lifetime and a trial by fire. All in all, it was well worth it. I had the chance to experience a fascinating and vibrant culture and learn skills I've never used before. I pushed myself well outside my comfort zone in ways not dissimilar from my Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition back in sixth form. I was unlucky and did not have a chance to summit Kilimanjaro this time around, but I aspire to be hired as an expedition doctor for groups in the future!
For more information on the Sidney Crane Travel Fund please email the OKA Committee secretary oka@kirkhamgrammar.co.uk