Jewellery firm’s generosity means Billy and Amber have a sparkling future ahead of them

Two students from the University of Northampton have been given a helping hand to fulfil their potential thanks to a scholarship from a well-known town business.

Michael Jones Jeweller, which has two showrooms in Northampton, launched a scholarship programme in 2016 for students at the University who come from the county and are studying an arts or business-related course.

Amber Rawlins and Billy Little are the first lucky recipients of the scholarship, which provides £9,000 over three years to help undergraduates with their studies.

Amber, who is in her second year of studying Fashion Textiles, said: “I cannot thank Michael Jones Jeweller enough for the financial support. It has helped me massively over the year and has given me more time to focus on the course as I haven’t needed to pick up any extra shifts at work.”

Amber, who comes from Litchborough, near Towcester, and attended Campion School in Bugbrooke before coming to the University, added: “The scholarship has also helped me to purchase materials needed for completing my assignments and my final year exhibition. I also managed to come second in a live project set by footwear company Dr Martens.”

Second year student Billy, meanwhile, is studying Advertising and Digital Marketing, and comes from Northampton, having attended The Duston School prior to uni.

He feels the scholarship helped him to receive top marks in his first-year modules.

Billy added: “It helped me significantly throughout my first year. For example, it meant I could go on the course study trip to New York, it has allowed me to buy books and equipment, pay for printing – and also help me with my daily commuting costs.”

Luke Allebone, manager at Michael Jones Jeweller, said: “Many budding entrepreneurs have been discouraged from achieving their potential due to life not handing them a helpful start on the personal or business ladder. We wanted to offer them that chance and particularly local students, who would possibly return to operate in Northamptonshire. The more we put back into the town the better it will grow.

“At Michael Jones Jeweller we believe that helping people achieve their dreams is a better accomplishment than any short-lived financial reward. We hope the students that we support to achieve those dreams understand this philosophy, and that they themselves will promote these beliefs as they develop through life.”

Vice Chancellor, Professor Nick Petford, said: “We firmly believe income should not be a barrier to people who want to study at university, which is why we, and our partners, invest a substantial amount of money each year to support those who come from lower income backgrounds to achieve their dreams.”

Potential students can find out more about the grants, bursaries and scholarships available, and the eligibility criteria, by visiting the scholarship webpage.

In February we reported how students at the University shared a pot of more than £5.4m in financial support in the 2015-16 academic year.