CHUDLEIGH, Manchester — For the 15th consecutive year, students at Chudleigh Path Early Childhood Institute are benefiting from a scholarship fund that over the years has improved early childhood education in deep-rural communities in north-eastern Manchester.

The Chudleigh Path branch of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Devon Missionary Church, and the Wilfred “Jacksie” Reid/Michael Richards Scholarship Fund (WJRSF) recently partnered in granting the scholarship and workbooks to students.

The WJRSF was established in 2012 as a partnership with Chudleigh Path JAS branch to honour the life and work of Jacksie Reid, a community stalwart, by providing financial assistance to strong performing, less fortunate high school-entering students in the Chudleigh/Devon area of Manchester who require monetary support for covering the cost of their education. The partnership has grown over the years to include sponsorship from the Michael Richards family.

During the August 27th event, president of the Chudleigh Path JAS Reverend Dr Donald Johnson commended members of the JAS branch for staging the awards ceremony for 15 consecutive years.

“[The team has] remained steadfast, resilient and has stick-to-itiveness in ensuring that the very worthy scholarship project in support of the children continues,” he said.

The scholarship fund has donated approximately five million over the years through grants, laptops, tablets, workbooks, and other teaching and learning aids.

Jaydon Newman was announced as the winner of the fund’s three-year scholarship. Newman is attending Knox College following his recent success in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams.

Jayden Gordon, who was also successful in his recent PEP exams, was the runner-up applicant and also received funding towards his first year at the Alphansus Davis High School in Spalding.

The other beneficiaries of the scholarship fund are Dee-Oneil Reid and Jayuda Gordon.

Co-founder of the scholarship fund, the late Eda McLaren, was also recognised for her service to the philanthropic efforts where she served as secretary and a posthumous plaque of recognition was presented to her daughter Betty Ann McLaren.

A presentation was also made to the Sacred Heart Christiana branch of the St Vincent de Paul Society, the charity arm of the Roman Catholic Church, in the name of the late Eda McLaren.

Esme Collins, principal of the Chudleigh Path Early Childhood Institute, receiving workbooks from WJRSF trustee Rory Reid.