Caitlin’s Kickstart Award
Bright Tomorrows
25th Anniversary Marks Caitlin’s Legacy
Ludlow College’s annual Presentation Evening on 10th September was a moving celebration of student and staff achievements. In A level and vocational results, the College ranks markedly above the national average for sixth form colleges, despite (or perhaps because of) being the smallest. It is a very special place.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Caitlin Hurcombe Kickstart Fund, a registered charity administered by Ludlow College. In memory of Caitlin, her mother Linda launched the Award in 2001 to help particularly deserving students with the often expensive transition to Higher Education. To date we have raised over £70,000.
2025 Winners & Recipients of Caitlin’s Kickstart Award:
CKA 2025 WINNER: Megan Davies
From Megan: “I write to express my gratitude for selecting me as as the recipient of Caitlin’s Kickstart Award 2025. It is such an honour to receive this recognition, and I am truly humbled by this acknowledgment. This award means a great deal to me and the financial support will make a real difference, allowing me to focus fully on my studies and make the most out of this next chapter. Thank you again for this amazing opportunity and for the work you do to support students like me.”
RUNNER-UP: GRACE SELLERS, £500
RUNNER UP: SCARLETT POOLE, £250
RUNNER-UP: CHLOË MEDLICOTT, £250
HONOURABLE MENTION: SASKIA GRAVESTOCK, £50
Total amount gifted in 2025: £2,000
Ludlow College Celebration of 2024 CKA:
Artist Georgia Stone Presents bronze Penguin ‘George’ to Dr Rory Naylor, winner of the £1,000 2024 CKA Amanda Brisbane Award for Outstanding Achievement:
Giving promising students a chance
Caitlin’s Kickstart Award is a UK Shropshire-based charity, founded in 2001. We offer financial help to Ludlow College applicants in their first year of further/higher education. The present Award is a gift of up to £1,000 to winners, and varying amounts to runners-up. The Award is not available for a gap year.
As of 2025 we have gifted over £70,000.
In 2014, CKA added two new occasional Awards: The Mary Hayter Memorial Award is offered nationally to students with a disability who are engaged in full or part time education and who would benefit from a cash grant to support project-related expenses. The first recipient of the Mary Hayter Award of £1,000 was Imogen Godwin, who required a Braille-dedicated computer for her course work. Applicants are invited to apply personally. You may also nominate a candidate for this Award.
The Amanda Brisbane Memorial Prize for Outstanding Achievement is an occasional award offered to applicants/recipients/supporters past and present of Caitlin’s Kickstart Award who have realized their dreams in their chosen endeavour. Applicants are invited to apply personally. You may also nominate candidates for this Award.
CKA recipient and website manager Joel Stone won the Amanda Brisbane Award in 2018.
The Jesse Tree
A novel by CKA founder Linda Hurcombe
Two teenagers. One summer. A murder mystery wrapped in an ancient riddle. The Jesse Tree is a captivating teen novel from a writer with a unique, timeless voice.
‘Now,’ said Summer Locke, ‘you stare me in the eye to the count of one hundred, no blinking allowed, and we shall be kin and I will show you magic.’ Robin used to live in London, in the heart of a city full of life. Now she’s living in the back of beyond in a sleepy rural backwater where nothing happens. Well, apart from the murder at the manor house. Oh, and the mysterious face at the window. And the bikers out for revenge. Robin wants to solve the mystery, and Summer Locke holds the key…
We welcome your interest and support, and rely solely on your generosity. If you would like to raise funds, make a donation or just get in touch, please join our contact list and leave a message.