Scholarship unveiled in memory of Georgia Williams

Scuba diving featured high on a list entitled "Things To Do Before I Die" written by the adventurous 17-year-old from Wellington, Telford.

Georgia never got to fulfil some of these ambitions, but those touched by the story of the fun-loving former head girl have stepped forward to tick experiences off her list while raising money for the Georgia Williams Trust.

Now the Georgia Williams Trust has been set up to create a fund in which 11 to 18-year-olds can be given help realising their dreams.

The money will be issued to help youngsters take part in opportunities that are educational, community-enriching or inspirational.

The Shropshire Star has launched a text line that makes it easy to give to the fund at the touch of a button.

The charity has already raised £50,000 in less than a year in memory of the teenager, who was murdered by Jamie Reynolds, a man she considered to be a friend.

Immerse School of Diving in Telford this week set up The Georgia Williams Diving Scholarship, which will see a young person become a master scuba diver – opening the door for them to become a professional diver when they turn 18.

The potentially life-changing opportunity has the backing of BBC presenter Monty Halls, who has a record of making adventure and natural history series.

The scholarship is just one of dozens of opportunities that will be made available to young people, who are able to apply to the trust for grants.

The remarkable journey will offer the chance for one 11 to 18-year-old per year to qualify in life-saving rescue diving and first aid – another of Georgia's wishes was to save a life.

It has been welcomed by Georgia's parents Steve and Lynnette who say they are "delighted" at the club's generosity and urged other organisations to get on board.

"Our Georgia would have been clambering to get on this course," said Mr Williams, a detective constable for West Mercia Police.

"She would have been so up for this. She loved snorkelling. We would have to drag her out of the water because she'd be in so long she would go all wrinkly."

Mrs Williams added: "We are so grateful for the chance this will give a young person to do one of the adventures Georgia would have loved to have done.

"We hope this will encourage other adventure activity businesses to offer similar opportunities as that's what the trust is all about – the exciting things Georgia was into."

The scholarship will be jointly funded by the school and the Georgia Williams Trust, which enables young people to join in with life-building adventurous and outdoor activities, and to contribute to their community.

Tony Flack, owner and instructor at Immerse School of Diving, said: "This is an extraordinary opportunity for a very special young person from the borough of Telford & Wrekin.

"We are looking for a motivated young person, with an interest in the underwater world and the ambition and commitment to fully engage in the scholarship and to achieve its aims following Georgia's spirit of adventure.

"If that sounds like you, then we'd love to hear from you."

Richard Langton, chairman of the Georgia Williams Trust, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Immerse School of Diving has created The Georgia Williams Diving Scholarship.

"This absolutely fits with everything we aspire to achieve as a charity, and I know that Georgia would have approved wholeheartedly.

"This is an incredible opportunity for a young person, and we very much hope that a lasting partnership will develop between the trust and Immerse School of Diving to see many scholars learn the skills and qualities needed to become a safe and proficient diver, as well as an ambassador for the School and the charity."

The chance of a lifetime will take an 11 to 18 year-old who may have never explored underwater before to becoming a fully qualified scuba diver.

They will train to attain their Padi Junior Master Scuba Diver rating, the highest non-professional scuba diving qualification with the world's most recognised and respected diving agency.

During the year long course, the scholar will undertake the Padi Open Water, Padi (Junior) Advanced Open Water, Emergency First Response CPR and First Aid, Padi (Junior) Rescue Diver, and five PadiI diving speciality courses.

Over the course of the year, they will be able to attend weekly pool sessions and complete at least 50 scuba dives.

They will also explore a wealth experiences which could include underwater scientific research, environmental activities, photography and videography and diving journalism, while meeting some of the industry's leading names.

At the end of the scholarship they will have all the qualifications and experience required to start training to become a Padi professional diver when they turn 18, opening up the opportunity to pursue a career in the scuba diving industry.

The Georgia Williams Diving Scholar will be an ambassador for the trust and will be expected to raise awareness by promoting the charity's aims and helping to make scuba diving more accessible for young people in the borough of Telford & Wrekin.

They will also be expected to lead fundraising activities to raise a minimum of £250 for the trust either before or during the course of the scholarship year.

Anyone aged between 11 and 18 who is living or studying in Telford & Wrekin, can apply and will not be means tested.

Shortlisted applicants will have the opportunity to complete a try dive with the Immerse School of Diving, and may be asked to attend an interview, prior to final selection of this year's scholar.

The Georgia Williams Diving Scholar will be selected from all applicants by a panel consisting of representatives from The Georgia Williams Trust and Immerse School of Diving, with the aims of the trust in mind.

Applications are now open at www.immersediving.com/the-georgia-williams-youth-diving-programme and close at midnight on June 15. Donations to the scholarship can be made through the link to Just Giving on the Immerse School of Diving website.

Any other adventure activity businesses which can offer other opportunities for the Georgia Williams Trust should visit www.thegeorgiawilliamstrust.org