Steve Hewlett scholarships setup for young people from low income households

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The Steve Hewlett Memorial Fund has been set-up in memory of the celebrated broadcaster who died earlier this year.

The 58-year-old bravely shared his experiences of cancer through a series of remarkable interviews with Eddie Mair on Radio Four’s PM programme before passing away in February.

The fund, which is backed by an appeal organised by the Media Society and the Royal Television Society, will provide a scholarship initiative for young people from low income households along with other associated activities to support Steve Hewlett’s legacy, and will be launched by Steve’s three sons – Freddie, Billy and Bertie – tonight (Monday) in an interview with Eddie Mair.

It was through his interviews with Eddie that Steve inspired the nation and did so much to explain and engage viewers with his terminal illness.

Steve’s sons Freddie, Billy and Bertie said: “We are so proud to launch this scholarship in dad’s name. He knew about it before he died and was involved in the early planning of how it would operate and the young people from lower income families it will help into journalism.”

The Hewlett Scholarship will be presented each year to one recipient from a lower income family studying an undergraduate broadcast journalism course in the UK. The recipient will receive £2000 per year for three years to fund their living expenses, as well as membership of the RTS and affiliate Hospital Club membership while studying. They will also receive mentoring from industry professionals to help them make the strongest possible start to their career.

Steve will also be remembered through an annual memorial lecture, the first of which will be given by his friend Nick Robinson of the Today Programme on 28 September at the University of Westminster.

Clive Jones, who chairs the appeal and appointed Steve to be Director of Programmes when he was CEO of Carlton Television, adds: “These scholarships will be a worthy memorial to a brilliant, inspirational journalist that so many of us were proud to work with and call a friend.”

Organisations and individuals already backing the initiative and committing funds to the appeal include: the BBC, Brunel University, Channel Four, Directors Cut Films, Google UK, ITN, ITV, Sky News, The London Press Club, Women in Journalism, Alex Graham, the chairman of the Scott Trust and Peter Taylor OBE.

Theresa Wise, Chief Executive of the RTS, said: “Steve was a vehement campaigner for improving access to the media industry for those with geographically diverse and low income backgrounds so the fund offers a great way to celebrate his life and support his legacy.”

Anyone wishing to make donations to the Steve Hewlett Memorial Fund can go to https://rts.org.uk/SteveHewlettFund or can donate through the bank account number 32510047 with the sort code 60-40-04.

For more information visit rts.org.uk/education-training/rts-bursaries

Posted by on Monday 12 June 2017
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