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UA92 co-founder Gary Neville has paid tribute to two inspirational students after surprising them with scholarships covering the full cost of their university tuition.
Leighton, 18, from Bolton, and Yasmin, 18, from Wigan, had been invited to UA92’s Old Trafford campus believing they were attending the final stage of UA92’s Unlock Your Greatness Scholarship selection process.
Instead, the pair were greeted by Gary, who revealed they had each been awarded scholarships covering their tuition fees for the duration of their degree.
Gary said: “Every year we meet incredible young people whose determination and resilience stop us in our tracks and inspire us. Leighton and Yasmin have both overcome challenges that could easily have stood in the way of their ambitions, yet they’ve continued to work hard and always believed in themselves. The Unlock Your Greatness Scholarship exists to remove financial barriers for students with exceptional potential, because talent is everywhere but opportunity isn’t always equal. We can’t wait to welcome them to UA92 and see what they achieve over the coming years.”
The scholarships are awarded annually to two students who have demonstrated exceptional resilience in overcoming personal challenges while pursuing their ambition of going to university.
Leighton will begin a two-year accelerated Sports Coaching degree this September after overcoming significant family challenges.
Following the passing of his father from cancer when he was a child, he has been raised by his grandparents alongside his brother, who is autistic.
Despite taking on caring responsibilities at home and being predicted to fail key GCSE subjects, he turned his grades around through determination, independent study and after-school revision.
Leighton said: “I’ve had to overcome a lot of challenges to get to this point, but they’ve made me more determined to succeed. UA92 feels like the right place for me because it understands that everyone’s journey is different and gives students the support and opportunities they need to achieve their goals. This scholarship means I can focus on my degree and future without the financial pressure. I’m incredibly grateful to UA92 and Gary for believing in me.”
Yasmin will begin studying Sports Journalism this September after balancing her education with caring responsibilities for family members living with serious illness.
Yasmin said: “Balancing my education with caring responsibilities has taught me resilience and determination and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Discovering UA92 showed me that there are flexible higher education options available that can fit around my circumstances while still helping me pursue my ambitions of working in sports journalism. I’m incredibly grateful for the support.”
Inspired to apply to UA92 after first discovering the institution through her local Young Carers Centre, she has combined her studies with being an elite-level shotputter – having competed in the England Athletics Indoor Championships.
Steph Drivear, Head of Student Success at UA92, said: “Leighton and Yasmin represent exactly what the Unlock Your Greatness Scholarship is all about. They’ve shown remarkable resilience, determination and commitment despite facing significant personal challenges. Higher education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or financial circumstances. We hope these scholarships allow both students to focus on achieving their ambitions, knowing they have the support behind them to succeed.”
The scholarships form part of UA92’s commitment to widening participation in higher education, with almost one in three applicants coming from the most deprived areas (IMD Quintile 1) – significantly above the sector average.
Find out more about UA92’s Support Packages for students here.
