What person (real or fictional) or artistic work has had the biggest impact on your life? Why?

I believe my mother has undoubtedly had the largest impact on my life. Much of my character I believe I have inherited from my mother. During our first eviction, she showed incredible resilience in overcoming the adverse conditions as well as supporting her 4 children, a quality I hold in high regard. It is no easy feat being evicted and financially struggling to make ends meet, however the sheer grit and determination she showed, by working overtime, living frugally in order to provide, inspired me to always have the best interests of others at heart.

With my mother originally being born in Nigeria and becoming a phlebotomist, watching her strive for success in a foreign environment allowed me to fully grasp the concept of dedication equalling positive results. As a prospective Medical student, I find it increasingly useful to use my mother as a key role model across my journey. Despite not attending university, through specialised training and hard work she has managed to join the multidisciplinary team and has had a key influence on the manner in which I would like to deliver healthcare. In a bid to stay connected to my roots, I’ve been exposed to a multitude of varying medical practices and treatments. Alongside an increasingly interconnected and globalised world, I aim to diversify the treatments delivered by the UK’s National Health Service, sewing my black heritage into the fabric of the NHS, with my mother’s teachings at the forefront of my goals.

The positive impact my mother has cannot be understated, with one of the main impacts being her intelligence and infectious good habits. She encouraged me to read many of the books which I hold dear to me, one of the most noticeable being Nashef’s “The Naked Surgeon”. This book had outlaid many of the problems with risk assessment in cardiac surgery, with many of the contemporary surgical methods such as the heart-lung machine acting as a direct rectification of the previous risks in surgery. The author had revolutionised the use of the EUROSCORE model as a way to quantify the risks associated with certain surgeries (particularly the risks associated with coronary artery bypass grafting) by collating the multitude of factors which would contribute to a change in the risks associated with them. My mother introducing me to this book has allowed me to expand my knowledge and mindset, especially when thinking about my further career goals and aims. This impact catalysed my desire to learn more about surgery, hence causing me to undertake my orthopaedic surgery work experience, further reinforced my desire to study Medicine at further education. Without my mother’s influence financially, emotionally and intellectually, I sincerely believe I would not have achieved as much as I have. Therefore, being accepted as a Crowd Scholar would not only serve as an incredible benefit for myself but also as a way to repay my mother for all her sacrifice and the positive impact she has had on my life through success in further education.

What would winning a Crowd Scholar scholarship mean to you?

Being a Crowd Scholar acts as not only a financial bridge to supplement my studies at the University of Oxford but it also allows me to act as a role model for those in my community. Growing up in an under-privileged and under-represented background, scholars haven’t been in abundance. My current place of residence isn't secure in the sense that it is a temporary accommodation allocated by the homelessness prevention council and yet despite this, I was able to secure a place at a prestigious university. Being a Crowd Scholar gives me the platform to show those who come from similar backgrounds that their aspirations are more than achievable, hence being accepted as a Crowd Scholar would not only mean an immense amount to myself but also those in my community. Coming from a single mother household and being eligible for free school meals means there has always been a financial burden attached to further education. By being a scholar, this stress can be alleviated thanks to the generous donations, allowing me to study at University. Evidently, it would mean an immense amount and I would be grateful if accepted as a Crowd Scholar. The feeling of determination also accompanies gratitude. If accepted as a Crowd Scholar, I would be further determined and driven to become a better version of myself. The faith placed in me by the generous donors serves as further motivation to continue achieving as a way of repaying their generosity, which means so much.

I am writing this letter to you to convey my fervent support for my brilliant student Mr Azeez Shekoni, who has applied for a crowdscholar scholarship. It was delightful but not at all surprising when Azeez received his offer to read Medicine at St John's College, Oxford. He is truly the most memorable student I have encountered in my career and shines in every respect of the word. I am currently Azeez’ careers advisor at Brampton Manor Academy and have known him since he arrived in the Sixth Form in September 2020. Within this context I can say with confidence that Azeez not only has the academic acumen to thrive at university, he also possesses such a vibrant character that he will surely become the heart of the Medicine Department at Oxford.

Azeez is a phenomenally able student whose commitment to widening his knowledge of Medicine has been truly remarkable to witness. His numerous work experience placements include working in the Orthopaedics department at King's, completing virtual work experience with MedicHut where he learned about the key skills required as a surgical registrar, and taking part in a cardiac patient simulation with MedicLife. Warm and supremely personable, Azeez has shadowed several doctors in order to learn the application of the core ethical pillars in primary care. In addition to achieving the highest possible grade in each of his end of Year 12 examinations, Azeez competed in the Chemistry Olympiad. He regularly attends the Sixth Form Medicine Society, where he particularly enjoyed a session on factors limiting ultra-marathon runners.

Part of the first generation of his family to go to university, Azeez is in receipt of free school meals and has been living in temporary accommodation since 2019. He is currently being faced with eviction by the council, meaning that his family is at risk of homelessness. Thus, the financial help offered by the crowdscholar scholarship would make a real difference, reducing the financial burden of university and enabling Azeez to focus on his studies without being distracted by money worries. I am confident that Azeez will be a worthy recipient of this grant because he is someone who makes the most of every possible opportunity. For example, when extended the opportunity to participate in the Insight into Bristol Summer School, and Oxford's UNIQ Summer School, he consistently proved to be one of the most proactive students we have come across. Comfortably on track to achieve A*A*A*, he will be a wonderful doctor and an asset to your scholarship programme and to the NHS.