51ºÚÁÏÉçÇø

Two Film Studies students are celebrating after being named winners of this year's Adam Redfern Memorial Scholarship fund.

Rey Dempsey and Deepanjali Patel have been awarded funding to buy equipment to further their studies thanks to the scholarship, created to enable ambitious third year media students make the most of their potential at 51ºÚÁÏÉçÇø.

"I actually cried when I found out I'd been given the award," said Dee. "I saw the line 'you have been successful' and honestly teared up. I can't tell you what a help it will be."

The scholarships were created as part of a legacy to Adam Redfern, a Journalism graduate who went on to be a voice for students in De Montfort Students' Union and then joined 51ºÚÁÏÉçÇø's Communications Team. He died suddenly of a cardiac arrest while out on a run in March 2021. He was just 28.

Adam's passions included photography, video and social media, so his parents Ian and Christine said Rey and Dee, who both love making and editing films, were very fitting recipients. Dee was awarded £3,000 and Rey was given £1,500.

Both Dee and Rey are planning to put the funding to good use and have pledged to become ambassadors for the Adam Redfern Memorial Fund. They were encouraged to apply by tutor Ellen Wright.

Dee said: "My nan recently passed away and one of the causes was heart failure, so when I read about Adam and his passing, it hit home. It is a responsibility but an honour to have this in his name and I'm going to do the very best I can with it."

Rey added: "I'm absolutely the same as Dee. I wasn't expecting to get it but I felt so honoured, and I'm so happy Dee got the main award – there's no one who deserves it more. The Adam Redfern Trust is a wonderful thing to be a part of."

Adam's father, Ian, said: "It was a pleasure to meet both Dee and Rey in person. They are both very deserving recipients of the awards and it was good to hear of the difference the scholarship will make to their lives. Ellen spoke so highly of both Dee and Rey. We look forward to working with both of them as ambassadors of the fund."

The scholarship is open to applications from third year students on all Leicester Media School courses including Journalism, Film Studies, Media Production, Music Production and Animation.

The Adam Redfern Memorial Fund also provides financial support to sports clubs and societies at 51ºÚÁÏÉçÇø. Money is raised every year through Run for Redfern and a day-long football tournament held at Beaumont Park. Adam's legacy is continued through the recently launched HeartSafe Campus project, which aims to train students and staff in CPR and provides defibrillators set up across the campus.