The CFL Charitable Trust has made a total of six awards this year, benefitting a range of people both in the Falklands community and beyond.

This year’s awards will continue to assist Kate Stenning in her quest to become a medical practitioner and Tasmin Goss who is undertaking a Foundation Degree in Marine Biology with Conservation; both are now heading into their fourth year of study.

Dr Sofia Arkhipkina was also granted funding towards a Master of Business Administration in Health (MBA Health) degree at the University College London which she plans to start later this year, pending funding from other areas being granted.

With climbing a fast growing sport in the Falklands, grants were approved for both Eimear Smith and Mark McLeod to further their qualifications so that the community can benefit from their instruction at the Falklands Climbing Club when the NSC climbing facilities are complete.

Also on the sporting front was assistance for James Hartley (pictured above left) who is currently studying for A-Levels in Peterborough but also continues to train at the Peterborough Phantoms Ice Hockey Academy in the evenings and at weekends. He also plays in the Peterborough Phantoms under 18s team and travels around the UK representing his club.

James is currently in Punta Arenas supporting the Falklands players in their tournament and intends to return to the islands to coach and mentor other junior players once his time at the academy has finished.

CFL General Manager Janet Robertson said that it was again pleasing to receive applications from both the academic sector and the sporting fraternity.

“With two doctors on our books as well as those who will be promoting sporting activities we are making a small contribution to the health and well-being of our Falklands community and that is money well spent,” she said.

The aims of the Trust are to further the education and training of the people of the Falkland Islands and to provide financial relief to people in conditions of need, hardship or distress as a result of national or international disaster or by reason of their social or economic circumstances.