Let's save the world! Pt. 2

A project by: Michael Macgregor-Fairlie

Successful

WE RAISED £1,116

from 22 donors

This project received pledges on Mon 01 Jun 2015
Because who else is going to?
Who the hell are ya?!
Hey guys! I'm Mike! And I'm currently studying for an MSc by research in Biological sciences at the University of Warwick. I'm from a small town called, Calne, in Wiltshire........lots of fields and not much else! I did my BSc at the University of the West of England, in Bristol, so moving to Warwick is quite a step up! Whilst I was at UWE, I also did a placement at the Robert Koch institute in Berlin, which started the passion for research that I currently have.

So what do you do?
Basically, we're screwed! Humans are running out of antibiotics to treat diseases and infections. In fact, the World Health Organisation believes that we may run out of effective antibiotics by 2030, unless we start investigating new ones right now! My project is currently looking at causing bacteria to express genes which they don't normally express, in the hope that they'll produce new chemicals which may be antibiotic in nature (don't worry! This isn't some wild gamble, the bacteria we're looking at produce around 70% of all known antibiotics!).

Okay, so why hubbub?
When I got into Warwick, I was so excited, and couldn't wait to get here; then do a PhD. The problem is, the government don't provide much help to masters students, so I had to rely, mostly, on my parents; with my dad being my main rock. Unfortunately, my dad passed away on the 14th of December 2014, and I'd give anything to have him back. I know he was incredibly proud of me, and would have wanted me to finish my degree. Sadly, because of a lack of funds, I may no longer be able to do this, and it's breaking my heart.

Haven't we seen you before?
That's correct, and thanks to the kind donations of many, many, people I managed to raise a LARGE amount of money for my tuition, but, unfortunately, not all of it.

What have you been doing in the past three months? Lounging around?!
Far from it! Since launching my campaign, I've managed to acquire work at the local cinema, and ice rink; I've also been teaching in undergraduate practicals, and because of this I'm actually sorted for living costs! My research is also taking off at an increased pace. Which is great news!

However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows, since launching my last campaign, things have grown a little dire in other parts of my life, namely, my mum has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; this is a slow progressing cancer which affects a specific type of white blood cell. Eventually, my mums immune system will stop functioning and this is what will, ultimately, kill her.

Surely you've been getting funding from elsewhere?
As I said, I've been working, and working hard at the ice rink and cinema; these jobs alone have enabled me to be able to socialise and eat, but then there's the question of my tuition. I've also been applying for various grants from charities, in the hope that some kind soul will help me. Then there's you guys! Whom I hope can afford to dig deep, and help me during my time of need!

What do you need?

Literally, £2200 for tuition, and THAT IS IT!

Therefore, please, please, please, donate IF you can! And if you can't donate, share, share and share! I'm so close to getting the funding I need, and with your help, I know I can reach my target. Thank you!

P.S. REMEMBER THAT THE MONEY YOU PLEDGE WON'T LEAVE YOUR ACCOUNT UNTIL THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN (SO IF YOU PLEDGE £100 AT CAMPAIGN LAUNCH, IT WON'T LEAVE YOUR ACCOUNT UNTIL JUNE THE 1ST!)

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