THANK YOU!

I just realised I hadn't said thank you to all the lovely, wonderful people that had already helped out and contributed. It really will make the difference between me going to the academy or me not going. There's no real reason anyone should help apart the goodness of your hearts. So, a big, HUGE thank you to everyone who's offered to help. It means a great deal to me and you have some seriously good Karma coming your way!

courtesy of Kidica

Sorry I haven't written in so long, I'm officially rubbish! I just thought I'd update you on how I'm getting on...

Well, I was lucky enough to receive a scholarship from the Cameron Macintosh Foundation towards my fees which has helped hugely. It was extra special too as Mary Hammond (course director) herself chose it for me! Blimey, no pressure then. So along with that and other bits and bobs, I'm not far off. I'm still waiting on a career development loan although I don't hold out much hope for that as they actually check your credit history. Uh-oh. So, I'm still in need, although not as much, so any donations/ideas are gratefully recieved!

In addition, I've received an email from the course telling me that we are going to be in an Elton John concert at the Royal Albert Hall on the 22nd September. Good God. I'm terrified. Stephen Fry's the compere and Teddy Thompson will also be performing. If you would like tickets they are already on sale and you can get them from...

http://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/elton-john/default.aspx

http://www.ram.ac.uk/whatsnew/Pages/EltonJohnconcertinaidoftheAcademy.aspx

http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F0042BCA58F8893?artistid=735394&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1

So, there you go, you're up to date! This is just an example of the incredible opportunities this course will give me and I'm so excited/terrified about starting. However, without that last couple of grand I won't be going so any help, large or small, is still very, very gratefully received.

Miss Phillipa C Cookman

30-99-61

12198660




courtesy of Kidica

courtesy of Kidica

Look!!! My new funds thermometer!!! Check back to see progress...

Setback!

Ok, it's not that bad (or unexpected) but I received a letter this morning from RAM stating that I have not been selected to receive an AHRC award (the big one from the Arts and Humanities Research Council). They only awarded 7 so it's not a surprise but still, a bit of a bummer! Anyway, never mind! I'm now in the process of sending my CV to loads of funding bodies as apparently a letter wasn't enough...

 I really need to start the dancing lessons I politely got asked to take (ha ha!) so that by September I'm like Darcy Bussell. Maybe it's best to not set my sights so high... Anyway, that should provide a few laughs, I haven't worn jazz shoes in years. I also need to go and have a few (very expensive) singing lessons so I don't turn up sounding like the singing equivalent to John Sergeant! 

So, that's what's been going on, I'm still hot on the heels of those funding bodies - although how depressing, I'm too old for most of them! Grrr! I'd also like to thank everyone who has offered to donate to my fees fund, it really is unbelievably generous and kind. For those of you that have offered if you wouldn't mind sending it direct to my savings account as this is where I'm holding it. Otherwise cheques, cash, favours, anything's greatly appreciated! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Miss Phillipa C Cookman

30-99-61

12198660

If you put your name on the payment reference I'll know who's sent it too.

Thanks a million, you is all well good people!

First Scrounging Post

Hello everyone and welcome to my new blog aimed at keeping you updated with my oh so exciting life! But actually, more importantly to make people aware of my slight dilema with regards to post grad course fees...

As some of you may know, I've been accepted onto the Royal Academy of Music's postgrad course which is super, super news. However this level of tuition and prestige comes with a hefty ol' price tag. An £11,400 price tag to be exact. Blimey. I realise I'm not a charity so I'm not asking for people to give money but if you would like to please feel free! Basically I'm after any kind of fund raising ideas that may help me reach that target.

So far I've had donations from a few people and my band have very kindly offered to donate their gig fees for one gig for me. Aren't they lovely boys?! Check them out here. 

One of my aims this week is to get over this nasty, nasty toothache that's been bugging SINCE a trip to the dentist. What's all that about!?!?! I'm currently tanked up on pain killers so apologies if this blog is a bit crap and makes no sense. That could just be my writing though... I'd also like to stop getting obsessed with TV shows as I believe they are now ruining my life. I have just finished the final series of The L Word which traumatised me and as I've now caught up with Grey's Anatomy I can only watch one episode a week online!!! See? This is why I need to go back to studying. I have no life. Ho hum. 

Anyhoo, thanks for stopping by. I'll update this every so often to keep people up to date on how it's all going and in the mean time please don't hesitate to email me with any thoughts, ideas, donations...

Thanks!