They were part of a fundraising evening that made £50,000 at the L&Q housing association’s West Ham Lane headquarters.
The cash is going towards a scholarship fund helping youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds in social housing who want to get to university.
“My scholarship has been a huge help getting to university,” Taydia Charles told the audience.
“It’s giving me the freedom not to worry about money and to focus on my studies.”
Taydia is studying at King’s College London to be a sports physiotherapist.
She was one of two students already helped by the housing association with scholarships who gave their personal testimonies about a programme that helps remove financial pressures for low-income families.
Turlogh O’Brien, a former L&Q chair and lifelong advocate for education opportunity, received donations from the world of commerce for the fund set up in 2017 in his honour to pay for scholarships which have helped 29 students so far to continue their education.
The L&Q trust fund hands out grants up to £18,000 towards study costs.
Alaae Brahime, who is studying medicines at King’s College, told the business leaders: “This has lifted a massive burden from my shoulders, paying for two-thirds of my tuition fees for four out of my six years at medical school. It has been life-changing for me, making this possible.”
The money is given through the L&Q Foundation, open to tenants in its rented properties who want to study for a degree.
L&Q Foundation’s director Matt Corbett said: “Opportunities can be limited when someone starts at a disadvantage. It leaves little room for creativity or their dreams — the things that are essential to achieving their potential.”
The scholarship fund aims to tackle “inequalities that close doors”, helping young people get into higher education.
The evening was described as “a milestone” in L&Q’s work to create opportunities for youngsters.
The housing trust — one of the largest in the country that owns and manages 120,000 properties was criticised by the Housing Ombudsman two years ago for having “consistently failed” to resolve vital issues it has been facing.
