Kingston University graduate gets his running shoes on to raise funds for care leavers in Royal Borough of Kingston 10-mile challenge

Posted Monday 5 October 2015

An energetic Kingston University graduate has taken part in the Royal Borough of Kingston 10-mile run to raise money to support young people starting degree studies after leaving local authority care. Barrister James Keeley, who studied law and graduated in 1992, said his commitment to helping other people achieve their full potential had inspired him to take on the challenge.

"We need to try to ensure that everyone has the best opportunity they can to be the best they can. Those who face the biggest challenges in life early on and come through have so much to offer society as a whole," he said.

"I grew up in poverty and it was therefore a pleasure to run and raise money for this wonderful cause. Kingston University is doing all it can to lead the way in social mobility - it is an essential part of the community and of this country. I am so proud to have studied there."

Money raised by the intrepid athlete will go towards care leaver bursaries, which provide each care leaver student at the University with financial support of £1,500 per year.

Kingston University runs one of the country's leading outreach and support programmes for local authority care leavers in higher education and attracts among the highest number of care leaver students nationally each year.