Best of CASE Europe Region Award
 

Institution: University of Bristol

Title of entry: H.H. Potter fund celebration video

About this entry: The School of Physics at the University of Bristol received a landmark Legacy gift of £7.7million from 3 siblings, 2 of whom studied at Bristol. The story behind the gifts was one of family, connection, a love of Bristol (both the city and the University) and a love of physics, so the Development and Alumni Relations Office wanted to create a celebration film to tell that story. The three siblings were Doreen (Bunty), Nigel and Leon Cobb who collectively donated the funds through gifts in their Wills, and the money established the HH Potter fund. Dr. Harold Potter was the husband of Bunty. He studied physics at Bristol from 1916-1919 and then returned in 1924 as a lecturer where he remained until he retired in 1959, and sadly died the same year. He and Bunty paid for Nigel and Leon’s early education, and both brothers went on to study at Bristol and then have eminent careers in Orthopaedic surgery and Veterinary science respectively. Nigel and Leon had an immense respect for Harold and understood the impact of his work and wanted to carry on his legacy for generations to come.

The donations mean there is funding for at least 6 physics PhDs, every year, in perpetuity. The film we created celebrated this gift – the largest Legacy gift the University has ever received, alongside recognising the lasting impact of legacy giving and the way in which higher education influenced the Cobb family siblings.