Varndean College student raises funds for the NHS

After overcoming much adversity in his personal life, Vardean college student Justin is once again striving for success and raising funds for the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS charitable funds

After a long struggle, it was in January that Justin was thrilled to learn that after three retakes he’d finally passed his GCSE Maths exam. Justin, who came to Varndean College from Longhill School to follow a Level 2 programme in 2018, had been struggling to obtain the Grade 4 he needed in Maths, despite having achieved a Grade 5 in English, Grade 4 in biology and Grade B in his HPQ project. However, after a further year of constant hard work, dedication and support from his tutors, Justin eventually managed to achieve the grade he so badly needed and was finally able to focus on his new Level 3 courses, BTEC Business Studies and Applied Law.

Justin, 18, who comes from a family with six older siblings, says that after college he wants to go into criminology or forensics and hopes to eventually follow a foundation degree.

He’s already been on several college trips to different law courts and is a regular attendee at the College Politics Society. Next year, while completing a third year at Varndean, he also hopes to add BTEC Applied Biology to his study programme.

Justin is also a very dedicated sportsman and having already obtained a Black Belt in SAMA karate, also last summer came second in the College’s 10k run and in February took part in Brighton’s Half Marathon where he raised £130 for Macmillan Cancer Support. He was also recently awarded his Bronze Award in Amateur Boxing.

Despite the current Covid-19 pandemic however, nothing will stop Justin. During the past seven weeks, since his college was closed and all sport has been suspended, Justin has continued with his daily training by running each day and is now raising money for the NHS by hoping to compete in Brighton’s full Marathon in September.

To support Justin, please go to is Just Giving page, justgiving.com/fundraising/justin-nye3

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.