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It started with a message from a Rugbeian in Loudonville NY. James Nicol (K 72-77) told us he wanted to cycle John O’Groats to Lands End to raise funds for the Arnold Foundation, and he wondered if others might want to join him. We found a handful of adventure seekers in the Rugbeian Community: Mike Taylor (father of Ned and Tilda), Rory Bennett (SF 10-15), Fiona Conway (mother of Max and James), and Neil Hampton (Deputy Head and LeJog veteran).
The Ride Across Britain is an extraordinarily tough challenge. The 900 mile route takes cyclists over the peaks of Shap Fell and Glen Shee and also means sleeping eight nights in a small tent with 5am starts. Fortunately, our squad was supported by sports masseur Lorna Lord, a former Rugby parent who followed the riders along the whole route and joined the celebrations at John O’Groats as the five riders crossed the finishing line.
Together, the riders raised almost £20,000 for the Arnold Foundation and we would like to say a huge thank you to them and to everyone who sponsored them.
We had fantastic fun at our first ever Rugbeian Community Giving Day in May, raising over £138,000 for the Arnold Foundation and £23,400 for the Earle Fund at Bilton Grange. Pupils joined in the campaign with a purple window competition at Rugby, a funfair at both schools and a purple mufti day at Bilton Grange. With our own bespoke website, our supporters could see live updates on donations from each house, and towards the end of the two-day campaign and an impressive start by Bilton Grange, an epic battle formed between Cotton and School House. Congratulations to the boys of School House who eventually won the barbeque as their prize and to the girls of Griffin whose beautifully decorated window won them a huge cake.
Our thanks go to all Rugbeians, Biltonians and parents, families, staff and pupils at both schools and particularly those who got us off to a great start by making gifts towards our match funds. We are hugely grateful to everyone who contributed to the campaign and your commitment to boarding bursaries at Rugby School and Bilton Grange.
Eighteen years ago, when it was launched, The Arnold Foundation was a revolutionary programme. Today, it is a source of immense pride and an intrinsic part of the School’s ethos. It has amplified the positive impact of Rugby School, changed the lives of many deserving students and hopes to provide opportunities for many more in the coming years.
We want to say an enormous thank you to everyone who have been contributing to our 18th birthday year and especially to those who donated auction prizes, bid generously, signed up for regular donations, pledged to include the Arnold Foundation in their wills and made generous birthday gifts.
In 1567 Lawrence Sheriff took the first steps towards creating history. He left a bequest in his Will to found a school to educate the boys of Rugby and Brownsover. That is how Rugby School began, with a gift of £50 and an orchard in Bloomsbury.
Now, your legacy gift can have a lasting impact on future generations at Bilton Grange or Rugby School.
Our 2023 Telethon was a great success, raising over £100,000 for the Earle Fund and Arnold Foundation. Our callers had some engaging conversations and wrote some heart-felt follow-up messages as a result of the discussions they'd had.
We extend our gratitude to all those who generously participated, engaging in meaningful discussions with our Rugbeian and Biltonian callers. Your valuable contributions play a crucial role in ensuring that our schools remain accessible to individuals who stand to benefit the most from a boarding education.
Mollie Winder
“I had dreamed of boarding school but had a fancy idea of what it would be like. It was a culture shock when I arrived – but the Old Quad fitted the dream. I was amazed at the opportunities here. I tried hockey which turned out to be a great way to bond with the girls in my House and then I was selected to play in the team. I gained so much confidence at Rugby. It’s really important that I say thank you to the Arnold Foundation for giving me the chance to be educated here. My dad hated me leaving home, but he agrees!”
Grant Cumming
"The level of academic support was impressive, especially as teachers were on hand during evenings and at weekends and were always ready to help. I knew early on that chemistry was my subject, closely followed by computing. The Rugby labs were amazing both in terms of space and equipment. I went to Edinburgh University to read Chemistry and stayed on to do a five-year Masters, which included a four-week exchange programme with Tianjin University in China. What I learned as an Arnold Foundation student at Rugby was to seize opportunities. There were so many on offer."
Tshanda
"Even if you are confident about the school, as a parent you feel you are handing over your child. The Arnold Foundation and Rugby have always made me feel that my place in my child’s life is respected; they have supported us from the start, and I am grateful, too, for their standards of privacy and confidentiality in all our dealings."
Francesca Oroma Odongkara
“I was born in Uganda and came to the UK when I was seven and I was one of the first students on the Arnold Foundation programme via IntoUniversity. My family were asylum seekers but had the benefits of family already here. Rugby taught me to be fearless, go against the grain, work hard, push yourself, and expand your outlook. There is nothing to lose. You’ll always learn along the way.”
Mollie Winder
“I had dreamed of boarding school but had a fancy idea of what it would be like. It was a culture shock when I arrived – but the Old Quad fitted the dream. I was amazed at the opportunities here. I tried hockey which turned out to be a great way to bond with the girls in my House and then I was selected to play in the team. I gained so much confidence at Rugby. It’s really important that I say thank you to the Arnold Foundation for giving me the chance to be educated here. My dad hated me leaving home, but he agrees!”
Grant Cumming
"The level of academic support was impressive, especially as teachers were on hand during evenings and at weekends and were always ready to help. I knew early on that chemistry was my subject, closely followed by computing. The Rugby labs were amazing both in terms of space and equipment. I went to Edinburgh University to read Chemistry and stayed on to do a five-year Masters, which included a four-week exchange programme with Tianjin University in China. What I learned as an Arnold Foundation student at Rugby was to seize opportunities. There were so many on offer."
Tshanda
"Even if you are confident about the school, as a parent you feel you are handing over your child. The Arnold Foundation and Rugby have always made me feel that my place in my child’s life is respected; they have supported us from the start, and I am grateful, too, for their standards of privacy and confidentiality in all our dealings."
Francesca Oroma Odongkara
“I was born in Uganda and came to the UK when I was seven and I was one of the first students on the Arnold Foundation programme via IntoUniversity. My family were asylum seekers but had the benefits of family already here. Rugby taught me to be fearless, go against the grain, work hard, push yourself, and expand your outlook. There is nothing to lose. You’ll always learn along the way.”
