Battling pupil helps others in care

Suzanne Turley has already won a place at the school

The foster child who won the right to study at the royals' favourite school has launched a fund to help pay the school fees of other children in care.

Suzanne Turley, 16, from north Wales, chose to make the announcement at Gordonstoun, the private school in Scotland which was at the centre of her nine-month battle with red tape.

Just because a child is in care it is not fair they should remain disadvantaged all their lives

Suzanne Turley

Last week the teenager persuaded Wrexham social workers to allow her to attend the Scottish school to study drama - despite the authorities having a policy of sending childen in care to local colleges.

Scores of well-wishers, impressed by her fight to access the drama facilities at the school, offered cash help towards her fees.

A mystery benefactor offered to foot the entire bill for Suzanne's education at Prince Charles's old school, while donations from across the world swelled the total to more than £80,000.

Now a decision has been taken to launch a special fund to help other children in care who need to raise cash to pay for school fees.

Prince Charles was at Gordonstoun

The Turley Bursary is due to be up and running by next year.

Suzanne said she was delighted to have achieved her ambition - and was determined to help others achieve theirs.

"Just because a child is in care it is not fair they should remain disadvantaged all their lives," she said.

"Kids in care only underachieve because they don't get the breaks. I hope I have shown that it is possible to create them, but I could not have done it without the huge response from some generous people.

Support sought

"A lot of kind people have offered financial to help me with the school fees because Wrexham Council would not, and I am determined to keep that rolling by fundraising myself."

School governors and financial backers are being contacted to secure support for the new fund.

Gordonstoun's development director, Angela Harkness, said she expected the idea to be rubber-stamped.

"Suzanne is already showing Gordonstoun spirit - she is already thinking of helping others," she said.

But, she added: "It is a pity that Suzanne had such a fight to persuade Wrexham to let her come her, but it has highlighted the issue of private schools for children in her sit uation, and it looks like a special fund will be established as a result.