Meet Our 2025 Telephone Campaign Callers

Manuela (LHA, GrE 17-24) – Old Blue

'I’m Manuela, I am currently on a gap year where I have been travelling and spending time taking up new hobbies and skills, including creating content and reading. Next year I am going to university to study politics and international relations. I play five instruments, three of which I learnt at CH - and all to a decent standard (I must say, some far outshine others!)

I loved the breadth of opportunity CH has to offer and the areas of school life we could get stuck into, such as music, sport and boarding. I have lots of favourite memories from CH, one being my first Lord Mayor’s Show, where I marched with the band and then had lunch at Salter’s Hall with fellow presentees and donation governors.

I want to be part of the telephone campaign team, because this is such an important cause and it is a privilege for me to take part and help others, regardless of their background, to be offered the plethora of experiences that I had at CH. I am excited to speak to fellow Old Blues and hear about our joint and differing experiences at CH, as well as help to raise vital funds for such a worthy cause.

Tom (LaB, GrE 17-24) – Old Blue 

I’m Tom, I am a big football fan and Manchester United is my favourite team. I left CH last year and I am now studying architecture at university, which has been a passion of mine for many years.

One thing I love about CH, and now miss, is the sense of community and connection between students, regardless of our age or background. Especially in boarding houses where students junior and senior would all interact with each other in a friendly way.

I have many fond memories of CH, but one that stands out to me from second form, when my friends and I got caught playing cricket in our rooms, in full kit, during prep time.

I want to be part of the caller team, because as a Blue Fund Bursary student, I received immense support and help from the Old Blue community, and I would like to share my personal experiences and hopefully inspire others to give towards bursaries that supported me.

I am excited about speaking to Old Blues of different ages and backgrounds and hearing their unique stories from CH. I am also interested in gaining communication and marketing skills through these conversations.

Manasvi – Current Grecian

I’m Manasvi, I am trilingual and can speak English, Malayalam, and Hindi. Growing up with multiple languages has given me a real appreciation for different cultures and perspectives.

When I leave CH, I plan to study medicine at university, because I have always been fascinated by science and the ways it can be used to help others. I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that come with pursuing a career in healthcare, and I hope to make a positive impact in the future.

I love the community at CH and the wide range of opportunities that are available to us. It’s a place where we are encouraged to try new things and discover interests, which has really helped me to develop as a person and build lasting friendships.

One of my favourite memories is the day my house won both the tennis and football competitions. As sports captain, it was incredibly rewarding to see all the training and encouragement pay off, and celebrating those victories with my teammates was a real highlight of my time here.

I want to be part of the caller team because I am very grateful for the experiences I have had at CH and want to give something back. Being part of the telephone campaign is a great opportunity to connect with Old Blues and help strengthen the link between current students and alumni.

Abigail – Current Grecian

I’m Abigail, Second Monitor at CH. When I leave, I plan to study Economics and Data Analysis at university, continue sports, pursue music and see my family as often as I can.

I love tennis, followed a close second by hockey. I find it rewarding to watch matches and observe different techniques - although I still can’t serve. Additionally, I’m passionate about music. Gospel music is my favourite genre, and I enjoy building melodies from complex gospel songs, hoping to one day see how they pan out in a gospel choir.

Something I have enjoyed every day at CH is the community, building long lasting, friendly and wholesome connections with people from all sorts of backgrounds.

My favourite memory is St Matthew’s Day in 2024, when I had the honour of reading at St Paul’s Cathedral and directing the Gospel choir, before leading the school as we marched around Westminster Abbey, ending the day as a guest at the Founder’s Day Dinner. This was a day I experienced immense pride in being part of CH.

I want to be part of the caller team because if it wasn’t for supporter donations, the school would not be what it is today, and I would not have had the opportunity to experience it. I am grateful for a chance to help others achieve, benefit and grow.

I am looking forward to speaking to people about our experiences at CH, sharing memories and contributing to the school’s growth and long-term mission.

Deborah (LHA, GrE 17-24) – Old Blue

I’m Deborah, I am at the end of my first year as a psychology integrated master’s student. I aspire to be a clinical psychologist, so this year has involved attending clinical workshops and seminars on neuroscience, wellbeing and mental health.

I discovered an unexpected hobby at university of baking - and having invested in a stand mixer, my downtime outside of lectures mostly revolves around an oven.

At Christ's Hospital I loved being with my peers and it felt like an incredible 7-year long sleepover. The tightknit community and dynamic environment in boarding houses, was key to some of my closest relationships today. My favourite memory at CH is house singing in Grecians East. Our win, after weeks of rehearsal set the tone for an amazing final year at CH.

I want to be part of the caller team because I want to apply myself to something that deviates from the groupwork framework at university. It is an opportunity to show my personality and foster meaningful connections with fellow Old Blues.

I am looking forward to hearing about other people’s CH experiences and improving my communication skills. 

Ellie - Current Grecian

I’m Ellie, I am planning to study veterinary medicine when I leave CH. Having always enjoyed looking after animals, combined with my enjoyment of STEM subjects, particularly chemistry and biology, means that this would lead to my ideal career.

I have enjoyed making life-long friends during my time boarding at CH, as well as the many opportunities I’ve been given, such as playing in the marching band, CCF and sports.
A favourite memory is recently enjoying a Saturday night BBQ, organised by our house master and relaxing outside with friends, a welcome break from studying for A-levels. 

Outside of school I keep a small number of hens and pet sheep, one of which I bottle fed from a lamb. I also love to spend time with my cockapoo, which keeps me company while I study at home and visits me a school. 

Being part of the telephone campaign team will be a nice way to round off my 7 years at CH, especially because I will then be an Old Blue myself! I’m looking forward to helping the school community and developing my communication skills for the future. 

Mariam - Current Grecian

I’m Mariam, when I leave CH I plan to study architecture or landscape architecture at university. I am interested in improving the effects of climate change and believe that by redesigning our spaces both indoors and outdoors is how I can help best. 

I’m really interested in learning languages (Yoruba, Arabic and Portuguese) and about different cultures. I’d love to travel across the globe, especially to South America and South East Asia. 
During my time at CH, I’ve loved living with my friends. The community that I’ve found at CH has been extremely supportive and friendly. I’ll miss being able to just knock on a friend’s door. 

My favourite memory from CH is the last night of Lent term in Deps, when my year group stayed up in a hurry to complete our coursework. It was a very intense moment, but looking back, all I remember is the laughter and support we had for each other.

I want to be a part of the telephone campaign because my time at CH has given me so many great opportunities, that I jumped at the chance to increase support for our school. I hope to improve my networking skills and with the common experience of CH between myself and those I will speak to, it will improve my confidence and allow me to contribute to the success of the campaign. 

Sienna - Current Grecian

I’m Sienna, and I can solve a Rubik’s cube in 30 seconds! When I leave Christ's Hospital, I am hoping to first study philosophy and religion at university and then go into environmental law. 

At CH I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in some great clubs, such as Eco-Rangers. I became a recipient of the Daniel Letts Fund, which funds a summer law school for me and will continue to support me post university in my pursuit to become a lawyer.

My favourite memory of CH is attending St Andrew’s Ethics Cup final at the end of Deps. Even though we didn’t win (losing out on a spot in the final due to a coin toss), I’m still incredibly proud that we reached the penultimate stage out of over 60 schools, and it was a lot of fun!

I want to be part of the telephone campaign team because the school has benefited me in so many ways, and I would now like to give back. Through my bursary, CH has given me so many unique opportunities, that I would not have otherwise had. 

During the campaign, I am looking forward to developing my conversation skills, communicating with Old Blues and share how supporter generosity benefited me. 

Josh (MaA, GrE 16-23) – Old Blue  

I’m Josh, a second-year aeronautical engineering student and part of my university roller hockey team.

I have so many favourite memories at Christ's Hospital, from winning house singing, to playing in the 1st XV for rugby, but going on the band tour to Belgium in 2023 beats them all. The environment at CH was a positive one and being surrounded by friends was core to my experience and it was a blessing. 

I want to be part of the caller team to develop my communication skills and to contribute towards something significant this summer, because I know how vital support is for CH students. 

I am looking forward to speaking to other Old Blues and learning about their different experiences at CH and what they have gone onto do. It’s intriguing that so many students who went to the same school, then split off into such an array of different sectors and roles. 

Aiysha (BaB, GrE 14-21) – Old Blue

I’m Aiysha, a third-year architecture student at university and recently returned from an unforgettable semester at City University in Hong Kong, where I saw first-hand how culture, environment and community shape the way we design and live. 

I’ve travelled to over 20 countries - at least 12 of those solo – embracing new cultures and languages.

I love sport, including tennis, hockey, netball, fives and running, all passions sparked at Christ's Hospital. That energy and love for challenge shapes everything I do.

Christ's Hospital truly is “a school like no other” —through the education it offers, the people, experiences, and opportunities it provides. It brings people together, where lifelong friendships are formed. CH is a shared memory that my friends and I look back on with pride and nostalgia. At the heart of it all are the people - friends, my sisters in the boarding house, teachers who supported us — those who made my experience unforgettable.

My favourite memory is Saturday nights in Barnes B – chaotic, full of laughter and music. We bonded over simple things; from burnt toast or who left a mess in the kitchen, to sharing snacks and stories from the week. 

I want to be part of the telephone campaign to give back. CH gave me so much and it’s a great way to give back to the school and hopefully provide for the next person to be able to experience CH and everything it has to offer.

Michelle - Current Grecian

I’m Michelle, and I am in my final year at CH studying biology, chemistry and French. I love to play the flute and I’m learning to crochet. I am also a French scholar, and I was house captain for my avenue house and now for my Grecians house. After CH, I plan to go to university to study neuroscience and then join the scientists training programme with the NHS to study a master’s degree in clinical science.

I love the overwhelming sense of community at CH and the boarding environment makes it an incredible place to live. My favourite memories from my time here are playing in the band at events, such as the Lord Mayor’s show, St Matthew’s Day, the Brighton Children’s Parade and Brighton Amex Stadium. such incredible experiences, that I would otherwise never have had. I also had the opportunity to go on an incredible trip to France and learn about French cuisine and history.

I want to be part of the telephone campaign to give back to CH, because I know how critical it is to have support from our community, for CH to continue its mission of helping children from all backgrounds to access a CH education.

I am excited to speak to new people during this campaign and learn more about their experiences, as well as developing my communication and interpersonal skills. 

David - Current Grecian

I’m David, when I leave CH, I plan to go to university and study accounting and finance, continue music, sport and spend time with loved ones. During lockdown I taught myself budgeting and personal finance skills by watching videos and using apps. This sparked an interest in accounting and finance and played a big part in my decision to study it at university.

I love the sense of community at CH, we really are and will always be a family. I especially love the variety of sports and opportunities here, such as leading the band out as a drum major, to representing the school on the sports field. 

I have a few favourite memories from my time at CH - going to the Royal Albert Hall with the Gospel choir was a surreal experience, marching at the Tower of London with the band and representing the school both on the rugby and football pitch at the highest levels – but my favourite day was probably the day I received house captain since year 7, I have major aspirations and having the opportunity to tick of a few of my goals means a lot.

I want to be part of the telephone campaign team because I enjoy communicating with people and feel confident speaking on the phone. It’s a great opportunity to develop my communication and interpersonal skills, while contributing to a meaningful cause. I’m interested in gaining experience in a professional setting and building my confidence.

Ashlyne - Current Grecian

I’m Ashlyne, I am interested in criminal law and would love to be a barrister. When I leave Christ's Hospital, I plan to study law at university.  Defending and prosecuting in court appeals to me, and I enjoy debating and participating in the Model United Nations (MUN) in school, as well as mock trials which I have done outside of school.

I am fascinated by the history of art, which I am taking at A level. In my spare time I enjoy visiting art galleries and museums across the world, such as Denmark and Zimbabwe. I find analysing artworks and understanding the deeper meaning behind them interesting and something I consider pursuing in the future.

 A favourite memory is going on our house outing to Brighton and relaxing whilst enjoying ice cream! The seaside rides were exhilarating and when we got back, we enjoyed a BBQ, listened to music and reflected on memories throughout the year.

 I want to be part of the telephone campaign because I enjoy communication, conversations, and meeting new people - In addition, my experience at CH has been phenomenal and I would love to give back to the school. I want to improve my ability to speak confidently, develop networking skills and bond with Old Blues about experiences at CH.