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A charity set up in memory of a former University of Nottingham student has been recognised by the Prime Minster.
Josh Carrick was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 22. He had just graduated from The University Of Nottingham with a degree in computer science and was about to attend an induction day for his dream job at IBM.
Just 12 months later, in 2011, the cancer took his life. His family and friends were devastated at the loss of such a bright and brilliant man and wanted to do something to honour his memory.
In 2012 they applied to become a registered charity and set up the Josh Carrick Foundation.
Josh’s parents Steve and Arlene felt there was a lack of research and exposure for the cancer. Along with their son Dominic; Josh’s girlfriend; and nine fellow graduates and friends from The University of Nottingham they set up the charity with the aim of becoming one of the leading contributors to testicular cancer research in the UK.
In partnership with Cancer Research UK, IBM and The University of Nottingham their aim was to alleviate the suffering which testicular cancer inflicts.
So that Josh’s memory could continue to inspire, IBM provided a £100 prize for the top-performing first year student in the School of Computer Science at the University, plus a visit to its UK innovation labs for the top five students. For Josh's family and friends, the fact that Josh's energy continues to live through the work of other students gives them comfort that his memory and legacy will never be forgotten.
This week David Cameron awarded Steve and Arlene Point of Light awards, honours which recognise outstanding individual volunteers, people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.
Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements. The charity has directly supported two projects at the forefront of tackling testicular cancer by providing regular, annual funding.
To date they have raised over £300,000 and they are now on the lookout for a third project to support.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Steve and Arlene have shown tremendous strength in creating the Josh Carrick Foundation in memory of their son to fund research into testicular cancer. Together with their son Dominic, they have worked tirelessly to tackle this disease and try to prevent more families from losing the men they love. I am very pleased to be able to recognise Steve and Arlene as the UK’s 496th and 497th Points of Light.”
Steve said:“We are honoured to receive this award and we would like to take this opportunity to thank the rest of the trustees and all our supporters who have helped us achieve so much in such a short time.”
Arlene said: “We are very humbled to have been chosen to receive this award but our achievements to date would not have been possible without the commitment of our fellow trustees, and the hard work and generosity of all our supporters and fundraisers. I think Josh would be proud of the good work being done in his name.”
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Notes to editors: The University of Nottingham has 43,000 students and is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, with a “distinct” approach to internationalisation, which rests on those full-scale campuses in China and Malaysia, as well as a large presence in its home city.’ (Times Good University Guide 2016). It is also one of the most popular universities in the UK among graduate employers and the winner of ‘Outstanding Support for Early Career Researchers’ at the Times Higher Education Awards 2015. It is ranked in the world’s top 75 by the QS World University Rankings 2015/16, and 8th in the UK by research power according to the Research Excellence Framework 2014. It has been voted the world’s greenest campus for three years running, according to Greenmetrics Ranking of World Universities.
Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, its biggest-ever fundraising campaign, is delivering the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future. More news…
The Josh Carrick Foundation aims to fund research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer for the advancement of health and to also provide funds for technological advances in cancer research. The foundation also wishes to help raise awareness of testicular cancer www.thejoshcarrickfoundation.org