John Gray Memorial Fund Committee: (standing, L-R): Liz Schofield and Janice Wilson. (Seating) Charles Farrington and Olive Miller.

Eleven students studying for their first degrees locally and overseas were recently provided with funding by the John Gray Memorial Fund Committee.

The students have the National Council of Voluntary Organizations (NCVO) and the Class of ’69 to thank for the latest grants. Six of the students have been receiving grant annually, while the others are first time recipients.

Funds are granted each year to young Caymanian students who wish to attend college or university but have insufficient funds to cover their living expenses. This year a total of US $22,000 was distributed to applicants.

The assistance is intended for expenses associated with pursuing a degree course such as books, accommodation and transportation and helps those who may have funding for tuition but not for additional expenses.

Grant recipients are encouraged to become involved in their community through volunteer work, the organisation said.

The students who were given assistance are studying a wide range of courses including Law, Business Administration, Engineering, Accounting, Psychology and Fine Arts.

The grant is named in honour of the late Reverend John Rae Gray, a former NCVO Council and Executive Committee member, United Church Minister, and high school Principal, who passed away on 30 January 1992.

The committee members that determine the grants are Charles Farrington, Elizabeth Schofield, Janice Wilson (CEO of NCVO and Olive Miller (NCVO Executive Board Member).

The NCVO, which offers the grants, is an independent, non-profit, charitable organisation that engages in projects to meet the social needs of the Cayman Islands community.

To make donations towards the John Gray Memorial Grant can be made by post at PO Box 1140, Grand Cayman, KY1-1102 or by contacting the NCVO on 949-2124. For further information on other NCVO programmes, please see ncvo.org.ky