Year you graduated high school? 2017

What years were you at St Catherine's? 2015-2017

What activities (clubs, sports, music, theatre etc) did you participate in as a student at St Catherine's? Debate, MUN, Football.

What did you do after St Catherine's? Where did you go to university, and what are you/did you study? Have you had any interesting internships or work experiences? Studied Geography at University of Cambridge, then Msc International Development at the University of Edinburgh. In 2018, during my breaks from university, I began volunteering with London based charity FreetoBeKids. The charity uses adventures in the outdoors designed to build confidence and self-worth in vulnerable children. They also use one-to-one mentoring and youth leadership programmes to support children with tough lives to feel included, proud and successful, often for the first time in a long time.

How do you feel your education and time at St Catherine's helped shape your life-choices, your career, and the decisions you have taken? Joining debate club and MUN left me passionate about issues of social justice, a passion I've channelled into my work organising and running trips for the children.

What gives you passion or motivation in your current profession, or main hobby? How did you end up in this particular field? I love the energy and excitement working with children brings, and I've always loved getting out in nature. Completing my gold Duke of Edinburgh International Award with St Catherines' fuelled my love for the outdoors, something that volunteering with FreetoBe has allowed me to tap into.

Anything else that you would like to share with us? On Sunday, October 3rd, I ran the London Marathon to raise money for FreetoBeKids. I've been training for months and it will be a massive challenge, especially because I was running in a minibus costume! I did this as when we picked up the children to take them on their holiday we did so in a FreetoBe minibus. My fundraising link is here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/19665_9037080_35863. The charity runs outdoor adventure trips for the UK's most vulnerable children designed to build confidence, self-worth, and mental wellbeing. Without the charity's support, 83% of the children would have no holiday or safe access to a space to play.

Looking back on my time growing up in Kifissia and Athens I feel incredibly lucky to have had safe green spaces around to walk, meet friends and grow emotionally. I'm hopeful that I can help FreetoBe raise their target amount to expand and give more children with tough lives a similar experience.

Danny participated successfully in the London Marathon and raced for the vulnerable children doing something close to his heart; he finished in 3.33 hours and the fundraiser is still ongoing with currently on £2,275 of Danny's £5,000 target. With our extra support he will be able to hit the target by the end of the month and make the world a better place. The fundraiser link is here for you to check out: 

Danny, thank you for going above and beyond!

We all have a story and a journey to share, see you in the Spotlight! (it is interview question style which is so easy) -   Alumni Spotlight