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An update on Free Places

Posted on Oct 10

3 min read

Fundraising Events & News

We are excited to announce that we are more than halfway towards our target of £25 million for the Dobson Free Places Fund, and we awarded the first free places to three deserving undergraduates last academic year. This historic achievement is testament to the warmth and incredible generosity of our alumni and friends, who have enabled us to surpass the first two matched-funding challenges available to St John’s. These challenges were set by an anonymous charitable foundation that has pledged to match every gift made to the fund, essentially doubling the value of each donation to Free Places. Thank you to all who have given to date for supporting this ground-breaking initiative.

The Dobson Free Places Fund has now officially launched on a pilot basis, and we expect to increase the number of recipients each year until we reach our ultimate target in 2027 – at which point we anticipate offering a total of 40 entirely free places. The vision of those who have contributed via our Telethons, Giving Day, graduands’ giving campaign or via significant stand-alone gifts is therefore culminating in the creation of a life-changing opportunity that will allow talented UK students from free school meals backgrounds to graduate debt-free.

In an article for The Marguerite 2024, one of our inaugural Dobson Free Places recipients, Evangeline Dillon (2023), told us why this fund was instrumental to her applying to St John’s and reaching higher education. 


I am the first beneficiary of this award and it has made a massive difference to my life. With your help, this will enable any person from any background to come to John’s and make a difference with their degree, without financial worries.

Evangeline Dillon (2023, Medical Sciences)

Completing her education at a comprehensive school in Northern England while confronting challenges at home, Evangeline Dillon never imagined she would embark on a fortunate academic journey at the University of Cambridge.

After Evangeline’s mum was diagnosed with stage 4b cancer, her father had to cut back on his work she he could take care of her. Consequently, any financial support that could have facilitated Evangeline’s university education was redirected towards essential family needs. This unfortunate circumstance significantly influenced her decision-making process when applying to universities and selecting a Cambridge College.

Evangeline’s introduction to St John’s began with her application to the Sutton Summer School program, an initiative designed to provide students from less advantaged backgrounds access to leading universities across the UK. She soon found herself within the walls of St John’s conversing with student ambassadors during a formal event. Here she learnt of the plethora of support and munificent aid offered by St John’s to low income students. ‘This was one of the biggest factors in my decisions, as coming to St John’s meant I wasn’t afraid of not being able to fund myself.’

When she arrived at Cambridge, Evangeline was initially apprehensive about fitting in. ‘This is mainly because I thought I would have to work to fund myself, which meant I wouldn’t have been able to join in with any social activities.’ However, with the invaluable support of the Dobson Free Places Fund, these concerns vanished, clearing the path for Evangeline to embark on her academic journey with unwavering confidence.

Her personal experiences both sparked and solidified her decision to study medicine. ‘It helped me understand the impact that diseases like cancer can have on patients and their families,’ she explains. ‘It inspired me to enter a field where I can make a tangible difference.’

Beyond supporting her academic pursuits, this fund has facilitated her active participation in university benefits, including a wide array of extra-curricular activities like Cuban Salsa and sketch comedy for medics. Evangeline emphasises the importance of these activities as essential outlets for maintaining her mental well-being.

Now, having settled into the College, Evangeline expresses heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for the help St John’s has given her: ‘I am the first beneficiary of this award and it has made a massive difference to my life. With your help, this will enable any person from any background to come to John’s and make a difference with their degree, without financial worries.’


Editor: Isabelle Trubshaw