I make a point of not telling people about the difficulties I faced growing up.  However; without the financial support of this organisation I wouldn't have even been able to start my A-Levels let alone go to medical school.

If I were at medical school this year I would have been forced to drop out. COVID-19 has removed the opportunity to have the paid work that was essential for me to be able to afford to eat, let alone buy the 'required' educational resources I wouldn't think twice about purchasing in my position today. 

The Society of Apothecaries was given royal charter as a medical institution in 1617. Since then it has strived to address the inequalities seen in medicine. Elizabeth Garrett-Anderson became the first female to qualify as a doctor by being awarded the Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery of the Society of Apothecaries (LMSSA) (despite great opposition from various Royal Colleges). The organisation in 2005 stopped awarding primary medical qualifications and now focuses on extending its post-graduate medical education and charitable work. 

Understanding how beneficial a small amount of support can be has driven me to become a trustee of the charity that made it possible for me to become a doctor. Every year we award financial support for the most in need students at every medical school in England. No student applies for a grant without genuine need, the money provided covers basic living expenses (like food). This year the level of need has been higher and clearer than ever.

I strongly believe that if we want to address inequalities in healthcare we must ensure that the doctors providing care come from all socio-economic backgrounds. It is for this reason that I am asking for your help and donations to raise the funds that are needed to continue this work.