Bursary helps student from Ukraine study veterinary medicine

A student forced to flee Ukraine after the outbreak of war is rebuilding his life by studying to become a vet, with the support of VetPartners.Thomas Westley came to the UK following the Russian invasion of his country in February 2022 through the UK government's Homes for Ukraine scheme.He is now living in Salford, Greater Manchester, with a couple who off ered him a place in their home, and he is studying veterinary medicine at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in Preston.VetPartners' bursary scheme was set up to encourage wider participation in the veterinary profession.Thomas -along with other veterinary students at UK vet schools who were awarded a bursary -receives an annual award of 1500 for the duration of his degree.He said: 'Finances were a huge problem for me when I arrived here to study.I needed money for my education and all the other costs of living.I work but have to balance earning money and studying so the bursary was a huge boost as it reduced the fi nancial burden signifi cantly and enabled me to pay for bills, clothes and food.'The bursaries are a very generous gesture by VetPartners to help those who need it most.I owe a big thank you to them because no one has ever helped me that much.'