!!CALL FOR SPONSORS!!

[Monkeytrousers]

I am now officially a charity case...but if anyone can help, or knows of someone or some companies who invests in education can you please help?

As some of you know I'm postponing starting my PhD, which I was going to start in January, until DS is in school full time, which will be a year and a half. This is to work full time and take some of the financial pressure off DP who has not been coping well recently.

All this is fine, except today I was invited on a course at the London School of Economics in the New Year. The course will be free but I would have to travel from Newcastle to London and back again on the day the seminars are being held, but only once a fortnight for 10 weeks; this will total 500 pounds and there is no way I can afford it (and I'll also not be able to work that day.)

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be taught by some of the world leaders in the field I'm studying in.

I am cringing with embarrassment as a write this. I could apply for a career development loan but you can only apply of one and I will need it to pay my PhD course fees'.

It's a long shot but I have to try.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

MT

Best of luck with this. Wish I could help.

I assume you've already contacted the LSE asking if it has any special funds for assisting students? I think I would also contact my local councillor(s) and MEP. also the library for that book 'Who Gives What' or something like that, listing all grant-giving trusts. The really small ones, who are more likely to give to individuals, are much less likely to have websites IMO.

I know I was once in the mists of time offered a travel scholarship thingy by my local Rotary club. It wasn't much use to me tbh as it was only about a tenner or something, but perhaps they've improved since 1989.

oh nb, is anyone giving you a Christmas present which isn't already earmarked for something urgent? if so, ask for cash for the Dick Whittington Monkeytrouser London Travel Fund or similar?

I've posted this on your other thread mt but have you spoken to the LSE about any assistance from, say, the Access to Learning fund?

It would be a lot cheaper to book single fares than to buy a saver return, as long as you book well in advance. For instance I've just looked up trains on Monday 8th January, and you could get to London and back for less than £40.

If it were at all feasible for you to travel down the day before it could work out even cheaper. I'd be happy to offer you a place to stay for nothing: I live 20 mins from the LSE on the tube.

If you're prepared to spend the best part of SEVEN HOURS on a coach each way it would cost less than a tenner ... I'm guessing that is simply not practical though

Oh thank you for replying! I feel so pathetic. AB I'll follow up your leads re the rotary club. I'm not going to try and tap the MN xmas fund for anything, that's for really important things for kids; I can rationalise they can't.

Actually, it'll sound pathetic I haven't asked LSE directly. I'm in correspondence with the people who are running it and am a bit too reverent and star struck to ask them such mundane questions - they are academics not administrators kind of thing but again, thanks, it didn't occur to me to contact LSE directly - and here's me thinking I'm moderately clever..

I have a neighbour who works for GNER Moley (hope you don't mind the nickname) and he's going to look into prebooking/single/discounts for me.

The coach is out of the question if I want to be in any good nick to perform in the seminars; and I have to be back ship shape and ready for work/life balancing too. I have considered it but it's really not realistic; not if I hope to contribute to the debate and also get anything out of it.

I was in such a tizz though I didn?t think of contacting LSE. If I?m honest I?m still haunted with the thought that I?m punching above my weight and should just give in when the fates dictate. Glad I don?t though.

Oh, and did I say thank you? I can't say it enough.

I have my tutorials at the LSE and I must admit I feel pretty starstruck just walking along the corridors of braininess LOL!

Good luck mt - you will find a way

Thanks Molesworth - are in on Wednesdays? We could go for a whistlestop coffee before I head back to Kings Cross!

I just wanted to say too, for any comfortably off who need to offload some tax; if you would like more details of the course and my place on it please email me at porlawright at msn dot com usual mumsnet rules apply to that addy.

This is too good an opportunity to let go.

I can help....I have free GNER vouchers for return 1st class travel (GNER TIME) which expire at the end of Feb. You have to book them at least a week in advance and as the card holder I don't have to travel with you. You are welcome to them. Let me know if you want to have a chat about them.

Gill (in Newcastle!)

Gillian, that would be brillant, thank you! Email me at the address below or CAT me. I won't take them off you until it's confirmed that I have funding for the whole course though. Thanks again.

Where in Newcastle are you BTW?!

I'd love to meet up with you mt

OMG, I just realised - 1st Class!! Those would be fantastic!!! (Still won't take them if I don't need them though)

Can I ask another favour to keep this bumped?
xxxx

What are you studying MW?

Sorry nothing useful to offer. Just wanted to bump this up and wish you good luck

sociology and cultural studies - I'm doing it with the OU effectively full time, but I'm only in my second year

I love it

PS your LSE course - it doesn't involve Helena Cronin does it?

Yes it does. She is being incredibly supportive and it's a total inspiration, as you would imagine. I am heartily sick that it's only finances that are holding me back.

If anyone else has any more GNER vouchers for the months February, March and April that would just about do it - please ask around if you think you know any corporate types who might.

Thanks again Gill, BTW!

Oh, and thanks for bumping Fifi

sorry hun, cannot find your email and what's CAT? You can email me on [email protected]. BTW I live in South Gosforth

I just emailed you Gill. CAT is the mumsnet acronym for 'contact another talker.

another bump

Thanks Acnebride. I think between us (or between Gill and her GNER vouchers) it's been sorted. 1st seminar is on Wednesday Jan 10th Molesworth if your around sometime before 2 and after 4?

Thanks!!

What a wonder Mumsnet is!!

That's wonderful news mt!

I'll CAT you in Jan Moley, is that's okay??