b'Member News July 2020 13The future of engineeringIET Futures FundDonations and legacies from our members, grantmakers and corporate partners are helping to open the doorto a career in engineering and technology for FIRST LEGO League London Newham Champions, thousands of children and young people. Team Dersi_Coders from Dersingham SchoolAs we gear up for the launchEarlier this year, Dersi_Coders (aWere delighted to be joined by many of our 150th anniversary yearteam of primary school children fromcompanies, charities and individuals in from October 2020, membersinner London) took part in the IET FIRSTfunding the awards and look forward have been contributing to ourLEGO League programme and won theirto meeting our 1,500th recipient in the match-funding target of 1m withtournament against other local teamscoming year.generous personal donations and- who were all able to compete thanks by helping us to form charitableto the generosity of the foundation.As well as current award holders, were in partnerships with their companies. The team then left the capital for thetouch with hundreds who have graduated first time to compete in the Englandor completed their apprenticeships and Four IET programmes areand Wales National Final, whereare already in the first stage of their supported by donations to thethey impressed the judges with theircareers in engineering and technology.Futures Fund (previously knownefforts and won the HM Government as the Inspiring Future EngineersAward for Insight into Learning. At this years celebration Fund): Faraday Challenge Days,ceremony, 157 Diamond Jubilee the IET FIRST LEGO League,Corporate Partner Airbus were the Diamond Jubilee Scholarships and2019/20 Faraday Challenge Day themeScholarships and Engineering Engineering Horizons Bursaries. partner. As well as funding challengeHorizons Bursaries were awarded. days for the past three years, many These programmes engageAirbus colleagues have volunteered atJust over half were funded by and inspire young peoplethe events in their local schools. Whendonations or legacies, including UK schools closed in March due to thethe first two awards from the aged four and above.COVID-19 pandemic, the IET Education Youre never too youngteam swung into action and adaptedJanet Firmin Memorial Fund.or too old to be inspiredthe challenge into a Virtual FaradayJanet dedicated more than 30 years Challenge, opening it out to children and to become an engineer. families at home. The response has beenof her working life to the professional phenomenal with competition entriesdevelopment of our members. After her The family of the late Gerald Davidcoming in from all over the country. untimely death, at the age of 57, her FIET are continuing his wish tofather Harold set up a trust fund in her champion young engineers fromWeve been awarding scholarshipsname in his will. Were proud to be able disadvantaged backgrounds, byand bursaries to our most committedto continue Janets work through the supporting all four programmesand deserving undergraduates andaspiring engineers her fund will support.via The David Family Foundation. apprentices since 2013.We would like to thankOur programmes are in demand.Were looking for more corporate, charitable and individual funding everyone who has helped uspartners. To find out more about how you can support this vital work, please contact: to match 800,000 to date. development@theiet.org'