The Alison Collyer Bursary

In 2003 we surveyed the island of Tiree and one of our volunteers was Alison Collyer, a vet from Hertfordshire.  Alison and her husband Peter were part of the great team who made this survey not only informative but such fun.

Sadly, in February 2004 we received an email telling us that Alison had died suddenly.  Naturally, Peter was devastated but in his moment of grief he remembered the happy times he and Alison had on Tiree and he asked that donations be made to IOSF instead of flowers.  Their friends and colleagues responded with such generosity, which demonstrates clearly the esteem and respect in which Alison was held.

Alison was passionate about caring for animals and had a particular soft spot for otters.  In her application to join the Tiree trip, Alison wrote "when I retire from veterinary practice it is my ambition to set up and run an otter sanctuary/rehabilitation centre.  This is my first step towards learning more about otters in the wild.  I hope that my great enthusiasm and practical capabilities will benefit the project."

Alison will never realise her ambitions but she certainly did give fully to our work and IOSF decided to initiate an annual bursary in her memory using the funds donated.  This will enable students studying either zoology, biology or veterinary science to join a course on otter survey techniques.  For more information on this and other courses  You will be able to click through to a Factfile on each course by going to the Programme at the bottom of the page.

This bursary will cover all your course fees, which include bed and breakfast accommodation, all travel during the course and all tuition.  You will therefore have to cover the costs of your travel to Skye and food other than breakfast.

If you would like to apply for the bursary please send us a brief CV and details of the following: 

     ·        The course you are studying, including topics to be covered

·        Name and address of your college

·        Your year of study

·        Tutor’s reference

·        Career ambitions

·        Any relevant projects you have completed or have been assigned

·        Any other relevant information which you feel will help your application.

Maybe one of you can carry on where Alison left off.