Remembering Richard

Family of 'outstanding' Mechanical Engineering student Richard Pover - who lost his battle with cancer in 2013 - launch fund to support future generations of engineers in his memory.

Richard Pover

Richard Pover was an outstanding student, a loyal friend, loving son and big brother.

He was 20 years old and in his third year of study on his undergraduate degree with us in Mechanical Engineering when he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of testicular cancer.

Most people would be shattered by this diagnosis, but not Richard.

He loved Sheffield, his course, the University and his friends and for that reason decided to remain in the city for the duration of his treatment.


It feels right to start 2015 by doing something positive for Richard and we will be thinking of ways to raise money, but ask people to donate anyway - to support future generations of engineers from Sheffield, to support us, Richard’s family, as we learn to live without him, but most of all to ensure that our wonderful, courageous, inspirational son is never forgotten.

Anne

Richard's mum


His friends and his active university life helped him to maintain his astonishingly positive outlook and determination to carry on as normal as his medical team did everything in their power to beat his disease.

Despite his strength and courage and undergoing extensive treatment, the doctors were unable to save him and Richard passed away on 13th June 2013, just two weeks away from his 22nd birthday and on the day he would have left university were he able to complete his degree.

Richard’s story doesn’t end there though.

He was a born engineer with a promising and successful future ahead of him, he was a conscientious and enthusiastic student whose tutors recognised in him the ability to succeed and the University awarded him a first-class honours degree, posthumously, in a private ceremony.

Richard inspired many and made a lasting impression on both staff and fellow students, to honour that memory for mechanical engineers of the future, his family would like to create a lasting memorial in the form of a permanent endowment, to be named the ‘Richard Pover Outstanding Contribution Award’ within the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Richard Pover Endowment Fund

This would be an annual award, open to all students within the department who have excelled in their extra-curricular activities and made an outstanding contribution, just as Richard did.

Richard’s Mum, Anne, says, “There are no words to describe the despair we felt on losing our wonderful son and Chris and Stephen their big brother. Richard had everything to live for and the brightest of futures ahead of him, but it was not to be - his cancer was rare and aggressive and had no respect for age or prospects.

“Since Richard’s death we have concentrated our efforts on raising money for a variety of cancer charities, including the Teenage Cancer Trust, as Richard received such wonderful care in their Sheffield unit, but this latest challenge is a personal quest for us - to raise money for a lasting award in Richard’s name which would mean he would never be forgotten and in addition would help other engineering students from Sheffield University, where Richard was so happy.

“It feels right to start 2015 by doing something positive for Richard and we will be thinking of ways to raise money, but ask people to donate anyway - to support future generations of engineers from Sheffield, to support us, Richard’s family, as we learn to live without him, but most of all to ensure that our wonderful, courageous, inspirational son is never forgotten. That is so important to us. Thank you so much.”

A Just Giving page has been set up in Richard’s name and, with donations from alumni, staff and friends, his family hope to create a very personal and life-long tribute to Richard that will ensure he is never forgotten.

Please stand by Richard’s family and make a donation to support the setting up of the Richard Pover Outstanding Contribution Award and help the next generation of Sheffield engineers.


If you’d like to make a donation towards Richard’s fund, please do so here.

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