Alleyn’s and Dulwich College communities unite for the Gerry Thornton and Andy Wilson Bursaries Fundraising Dinner.
Over 200 guests gathered for a spectacular evening at the Gerry Thornton and Andy Wilson Bursaries Fundraising Dinner, a landmark event held to support opportunity for talented children from the Camberwell and surrounding areas to attend Alleyn’s and Dulwich College.
This memorable occasion, which took place in the beautiful Great Hall at Dulwich College, was a true testament to the schools’ shared spirit of community and generosity, with an impressive £81,000 (at the time of writing) being raised to support bursaries.
The evening began with a reception in the Lower Hall, complete with a jazz trio and warm welcomes from Emma Wilson and James and Damian Thornton. Damian was to speak again later, delivering a heartfelt address and sharing the moment of vision he experienced while in India—an epiphany that inspired the creation of this transformative bursary programme. His words set the tone for the night, reminding all in attendance of the profound impact of educational opportunity.
A highlight of the evening was hearing from Ann-Marie Anyan-Brown (Tyson’s 2018) and Jason Senoo OA, former bursary recipients who spoke eloquently about the positive impact receiving a bursary made to their lives. Their speeches were a stirring reminder of the power of access to education, and they both embodied the spirit of opportunity – as well as wittily demonstrating the friendly competition between the two schools!
Jane Lunnon, Head of Alleyn’s, in introducing Ann-Marie and Jason, spoke of the Thornton Wilson philanthropic partnership as “a pioneering moment, truly a moment of history for our two schools.” She recognised the contributions that bursary students bring to their schools with their time and talents and referenced the community and partnership work of both schools, including their involvement in the Southwark Schools Learning Partnership.
Jane said: “Everything we do is seeking to reach children who need more support or resource or confidence or encouragement or just simply opportunity. As the world seems infinitely more precarious and less cohesive than ever before in my lifetime, how brilliant it is for us all to be engaged in a project that is all about connection.”
Ann-Marie recalled her first day at Alleyn’s with “a very big blazer that my dad promised I’d grow into.” She went on:
I can still say to this day that being at Alleyn’s has wholeheartedly shaped who I am today. I may not have ever grown into that oversized blazer, but I most certainly grew into myself. I truly believe that bursaries can be the building blocks to someone else’s life and I’m forever thankful for the opportunity I had to be able to stand here today.
Guests were treated to a fantastic evening of entertainment, with performances from the irreverent and talented Jazz Emu (Tulley’s 2012), magic from Magic Circle Triple Crown winner Edward Hilsum, close harmony singing from the Alleynian Blues, and pop/rock numbers from Alleyn’s Battle of the Bands winners, the Anaphylactix. The event’s compère, Russ Kane OA, brought humour and warmth to the evening, sharing a particularly amusing anecdote about his first meeting with Gerry Thornton: “I didn’t like your cousin, and I don’t think I’m going to like you…”
A thrilling live auction saw guests bidding on a variety of items, many donated by kind supporters, including a bespoke cake by Bella Thornton, rounds of golf at prestigious courses, and even a stay at Alleyn’s Head Jane Lunnon’s cottage. A silent (online) auction and a lively table quiz and raffle added to the fun, ensuring that fundraising remained at the heart of the evening. Online donations can still be made via the event's Givergy site, here.
This ground-breaking collaboration between Alleyn’s and Dulwich College, launched in September 2024, continues to grow in strength, demonstrating the power of community, shared vision, and philanthropy.
Thanks to the generosity of those in attendance at this inaugural event, the Thornton Wilson Bursary will continue to support life-changing opportunities for students, reinforcing the schools’ shared commitment to widening access and nurturing young people to be all they can be.
Thank you to everyone who made this extraordinary evening possible.
The Alleyn's Schools Group
We are delighted to announce the opening of Alleyn’s Regent’s Park and Alleyn’s Hampstead, from September 2025. These will be the first schools to join the Alleyn’s Schools Group. Learn more here.
Last updated on 10 03 2025 at 09:06
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