Find out why Helen McCaw is supporting Lucy, by reading her open letter to the College community.
Helen’s message to the Lucy community
Dear Friends,
Today, I am reaching out to ask you to do something profoundly impactful for our future students. When you write or next update your will - and after making provision for your loved ones - please consider leaving a gift to Lucy Cavendish. I believe this is one of the most powerful ways you can help our College continue to offer life-changing opportunities for generations to come.
I couldn't have foreseen the immense impact Lucy would have on my life when I arrived in 1999. As a single parent with two young children in my early 20s, having recently completed three A-levels part-time at my local college, I had been living in a converted school bus since leaving school at 16. Graduating in Economics at 27, I went on to work as an Economist at the Bank of England and now manage my own global investment portfolio. There was a place for me at Cambridge—all thanks to Lucy—which allowed me to realise my ambitions and expand my horizons immeasurably.
At Lucy, I received several bursaries and benefitted from a tailored support programme suited to my less-conventional student needs. I cherished the diverse and supportive environment, the tranquil College grounds, and the unwavering encouragement from my Tutor, Director of Studies, and supervisors. The College went above and beyond to ensure my academic success, providing family accommodation, covering childcare costs, and granting a generous book allowance. The academic, financial, and pastoral support I received was exceptional.
Lucy was as forward-thinking then as it is now, offering people from under-represented or historically-excluded backgrounds access to a world-class Cambridge education and the support needed to make the most of it. As the College grows, having extended opportunities to those aged 18 and above, I have every confidence that Lucy will continue to empower its students to make a positive impact on society. This is why, with great pride, I am leaving an unrestricted legacy gift to the College in my will. It is my way of saying thank you while helping future students achieve great things.
Will you join me? Together, our impact on future generations of Lucy students can be extraordinary.
Yours,
Helen McCaw (Economics, 1999)
About Lucy Legacy Month:
This September, Lucy Cavendish College is proud to host Lucy Legacy Month, celebrating the transformative power of legacy giving. Throughout the month, we will shine a spotlight on the incredible impact legacies have on our college community, and provide valuable information on how you can leave a lasting legacy at Lucy Cavendish (and how you can write a will online for free).
