Sue Cleminson 1400

CELEBRATING NATIONAL TRUSTEES’ WEEK: 3–7 NOVEMBER 2025

by News

As we mark this year’s National Trustees’ Week, we’re shining the spotlight on all Sir Thomas White Loan Charity Trustees and thanking them for their time, dedication and passion they put into their roles.

Our Trustees give so much behind the scenes – from guiding our strategies and messages to interviewing applicants, meeting borrowers and championing our work in the Leicestershire community.

This week is the perfect moment to shine a light on their commitment and share why they love doing what they do.

Our Chair, Lucy Womack, made history back in March 2022 when she became the first-ever female Chair of the Charity: “I’m incredibly proud to be Chair of Trustees at The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity – a cause that’s close to my heart,” Lucy said. “Seeing candidates grow from their first interview is a great thrill.”

“Meeting ambitious young people is a privilege” – Anne Whitlock, Trustee

Fellow Trustee Anne Whitlock highlights the privilege of connecting with young people at pivotal moments in their lives: “Interviewing candidates is the best part,” Anne says. “Meeting ambitious young people is a privilege, and we strive to make the process welcoming.”

Parmdeep Vadesha, a Trustee since 2022 and an experienced entrepreneur, finds great satisfaction in hearing the stories of the people the Charity supports: “As an entrepreneur, I’ve faced business ups and downs, which helps me understand our borrowers’ journeys. I always look forward to meeting them and listening to their stories.”

Meanwhile, Ammo Khan, who has served as a Trustee since 2015, chairs the Grants Committee and takes pride in helping businesses thrive in the Leicestershire community: “The most enjoyable part of being a Trustee is saying yes to giving out a loan or a grant!”

Sue Cleminson, a HR specialist and Trustee since 2019, emphasises the collaborative spirit of the board: “I enjoy working with the other Trustees to make the Charity as visible as possible, because I think it’s a brilliant opportunity for people.”

Want to hear from all of our Trustees? You can get to know them better by clicking HERE

For more information on our interest-free business and education loans, please follow the links above.

If you’re working on your business plan or need a little extra guidance, we’ve partnered with some amazing organisations to help you get there. Find out more HERE

Q3 infograaphic

18 INTEREST-FREE LOANS APPROVED IN Q3!

by News

We are proud to announce that £243,600 in interest-free loans has been approved in the third quarter of 2025, taking the total for the year so far up to over three quarters of a million pounds (£753,000) – a record for the Charity!

Within this figure, 11 interest-free business loans were approved totalling £174,600, while seven interest-free education loans were approved to the value of £69,000 – two of which will be used at the world-famous University of Oxford.

“Behind these numbers are inspiring individuals pursuing their ambitions, and we are honoured to play a part in their journeys.”

The Leicestershire & Rutland businesses set to benefit from this huge allocation of funds include a pub, beauty salon, tool smith and a mobile catering company. Meanwhile, the education loans will support the studies of an MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering, an MA in Fashion, and LLM SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination).

Lucy Womack, STWLC Chair, said: “We are immensely proud to see the Charity approve another significant total this month, with over three quarters of a million pounds approved so far in 2025. This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to empowering people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland through interest-free loans, and also shows that while our offer may sound too good to be true, it’s very much real – just ask our new borrowers! Behind these numbers are inspiring individuals pursuing their ambitions, and we are honoured to play a part in their journeys.”

Established in 1542, STWLC hosts quarterly application windows each year in which people aged over 18 and under 45 can apply for unique interest-free loans of up to £20,000 to aid local businesses, or £10,000 to support students wishing to return to postgraduate education. The Charity’s loans are interest-free for nine years, and become repayable by equal instalments after three years.

APPLY FOR AN INTEREST-FREE BUSINESS LOAN

APPLY FOR AN INTEREST-FREE EDUCATION LOAN

The next deadline for applications is 3:30pm on Wednesday 1 October 2025.

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24 BUSINESS GRANTS AWARDED TOTALLING OVER £100,000!

by News

Leicestershire and Rutland businesses to benefit from a Grant allocation of £103,500

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is delighted to announce that it has approved a total of £103,500 in Business Grants, allocated to 24 businesses across Leicestershire & Rutland.

Ranging from individual grants of £1,500 up to the maximum amount of £5,000, these grants will provide a much-needed financial boost to a wide range of local businesses to support their ongoing growth and development.

In total, the Charity received 113 applications worth over £535,000 in grant requests, meaning we were able to approve a grant for every five applications received.

“This grant will allow me to grow, reach more parents and give little ones the best start in their development.”

This latest allocation now means that STWLC has awarded over £350,000 in Business Grants in the last five years, supporting 85 businesses.

Ammo Khan, Chair of STWLC’s Grant Committee, said: “We’re so pleased to have once again approved our full allocation of grant funding for the year. Unlike our interest-free business loans, these grants require no repayments at all, so it’s a win-win for all of these businesses and we can’t wait to see the positive impact the funding will have for each and every one of them.”

Courtney Coleman, owner of Tots Play Blaby Area and a recipient of a Business Grant, said: “Receiving this grant for my small business means so much. It’s not just the financial support but the recognition of the value my baby and toddler classes bring to local families. This grant will allow me to grow, reach more parents and give little ones the best start in their development.”

Tots Play Blaby Area is one of 24 businesses to receive a grant from the Charity

Another Grant recipient, Cain Ahmed (The Nest Wellness Studio), added: “The STWLC Business Grant is a game-changer, providing us with the resources to enhance our wellness offerings and deepen our impact on the community. It allows us to invest in new programmes and resources, ensuring we can continue to support our members’ growth and well-being with even more value and expertise.”

Gemma Tallis, Founder of Wild and Gem Jewellery, commented: “I can’t thank you enough for the wonderful news that I have been awarded a grant. It’s amazing the difference that one piece of kit will make. The grant will allow me to develop my jewellery and take it to a level which would just not be possible without the grant. I really can’t express how delighted I am. I know that the impact will be immediate!”

Established in 1542, STWLC hosts quarterly application windows each year in which people aged over 18 and under 45 can apply for unique interest-free loans of up to £20,000 to aid local businesses, or £10,000 to support students wishing to return to postgraduate education. The Charity’s loans are interest-free for nine years, and become repayable by equal instalments after three years.

The next deadline for applications is 3:30pm on Wednesday 1 October 2025.

APPLY FOR AN INTEREST-FREE BUSINESS LOAN

PICTURES COPYRIGHTED TO Beth Walsh [contact Beth on 07888753521] The faculty of Business and Law at DMU. AWARDS CEREMONY 1.

NEW TERM, NEW OPPORTUNITIES: HOW INTEREST-FREE LOANS ARE POWERING POSTGRADUATE JOURNEYS

by News

As campuses across the UK prepare to welcome thousands of students back this autumn, excitement mixes with nerves. Bags are packed, fresh notebooks bought, timetables downloaded. For many, the next few weeks mark the start of something life-changing.

But beneath the buzz often lies a quieter concern: funding. Postgraduate study is more vital than ever for those who want to specialise and stand out, but the cost can be daunting. That’s where The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity comes in, offering interest-free education loans that make further study possible for students from Leicestershire and Rutland.

And here’s the good news: you don’t have to apply before you start. If you’re already on your course and realise the financial challenge ahead, you can still apply.

Turning Ambition Into Action

Just ask Joanne Rogers, whose love of history took her from an undergraduate degree at De Montfort University into postgraduate study at Lincoln.

Her passion? Preserving precious objects for future generations. “The course covers the conservation and preservation of historic objects, learning the science behind the types of deterioration an object may undergo throughout its life and how to identify these issues,” she explains.

Joanne is pursuing a Graduate Diploma in Conservation Studies at the University of Lincoln

Without the loan, Joanne admits, “I wouldn’t have been able to afford to join this course and develop my knowledge without the support of STWLC.” Today she’s putting those skills to use at Leicester Museums Service – protecting heritage that belongs to us all.

From Leicester to Oxford

Leona May Irwin packed her bags to move from Coventry to the University of Oxford, where she embarked on a Master’s in Clinical Embryology.

“To specialise within Reproductive Healthcare and Biology was always my aim,” she recalls. “The ability to meet world-renowned researchers, of which I read about and admired in journals before attending, was astounding.”

The interest-free loan bridged the gap between Leona’s ambitions and the reality of Oxford’s costs, allowing her to focus fully on learning rather than on money worries.

Leona completed a Clinical Embryology MSc at the world-famous Oxford University

Accelerating a Career in Motorsport

For Drew Tora-Willson, postgraduate study meant getting closer to his dream career in Formula 1. After an engineering degree at Leicester, he joined Cranfield University to research aerodynamics in motorsport.

“Studying here felt right for what I wanted to get into – motorsport/Formula 1,” he says. “Without the loan, it is likely I wouldn’t have been able to make the course work (at least without putting a lot of strain on myself and my parents!), and I have no idea where I would be now if that were the case.”

Drew (left) used an interest-free loan to complete a MSc in Aerodynamics at Cranfield University

Why Now is the Time

As the new academic year begins, students from Leicestershire and Rutland are unpacking in new cities, meeting lecturers, or logging on to online inductions. Others are already deep in their course, balancing deadlines with part-time jobs.

Wherever you are on your journey, it’s worth remembering: our support isn’t just for those at the very start. Applications are open to students who have already started their course too.

That flexibility means help can arrive when you need it most – whether you’re just stepping into your first lecture or already deep into your dissertation.

Investing in Futures

With up to £10,000 available as an interest-free loan, repayable over nine years with a three-year break before repayments begin, we have been helping students for generations.

The impact is measured not only in financial support, but in the stories of people like Joanne, Leona and Drew – graduates who turned dreams into careers thanks to a Charity that believes in potential.

Whether you’re preparing to start, or already well underway, now is the time to ask: could an interest-free loan help unlock your future?

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Our next application deadline is 3:30pm on Wednesday 1st October 2025.

Approval Infographic

A RECORD-BREAKING QUARTER FOR STWLC!

by News

STWLC approves a huge, record-breaking £371,100 in interest-free loans in the second quarter of 2025.

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is thrilled to announce another record-breaking milestone for the Charity, with the highest EVER quarterly loan approval figure of £371,100!

Within this figure, a massive 21 interest-free business loans were approved totalling £343,200, while three interest-free education loans were approved, to the value of £27,900.

“It’s clear that more people are hearing about the Charity and applying for loans now than they ever have done before.”

The Leicestershire & Rutland businesses set to benefit from this huge allocation of funds include a deli, interior designer, fitness studio, entertainment venue, pet store and an aesthetics service. Meanwhile, the education loans will support the studies of an MA in Fine Art and MPhil in Film and Screen studies.

Lucy Womack, STWLC Chair, said: “This really is incredible news for the Charity. Supporting the business and education dreams of young people in our county is what we’re all about, so to do that with £371,100 in just one quarter is truly amazing.

“To add some context to that figure, across the whole of 2022 we approved £330,500. This jumped up to a record £600,000 in 2023, and £495,600 followed in 2024. To approve £371,100 this quarter (taking us to £509,332 for 2025 so far) shows that we’re on track for another special, record-breaking year.

“This also shows that whilst our offering of an interest free loan with nothing to pay for the first three years sounds too good to be true, it really isn’t – and these new borrowers are testament to this.

“It’s clear that more people are hearing about the Charity and applying for loans now than they ever have done before, and that’s something we can all celebrate. We wish all of our new borrowers the very best with their business and education endeavours!”

Established in 1542, STWLC hosts quarterly application windows each year in which people aged over 18 and under 45 can apply for unique interest-free loans of up to £20,000 to aid local businesses, or £10,000 to support students wishing to return to postgraduate education. The Charity’s loans are interest-free for nine years, and become repayable by equal instalments after three years.

The next deadline for applications is 3:30pm on Thursday 3rd July 2025.

APPLY FOR AN INTEREST-FREE BUSINESS LOAN

APPLY FOR AN INTEREST-FREE EDUCATION LOAN

Isobel-website

PAVING THE WAY TO A LEGAL CAREER: ISOBEL MUNN’S JOURNEY WITH STWLC SUPPORT

by Education Success StoriesNews

Growing up in the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire region, Isobel Munn always had a deep interest in the criminal justice system. Her academic journey began at Southfield School in Kettering, where she studied from the age of 11 through to 18. It was from there that she took her first step into higher education, enrolling at De Montfort University in Leicester.

“At 18, I attended De Montfort University in Leicester where I studied for a total of five years,” Isobel shares. “My undergraduate degree was Criminology and Criminal Justice which I completed between 2014 and 2017.”

Transitioning to Law

While her undergraduate studies laid a solid foundation in the theory of crime and justice, it was her postgraduate education that propelled Isobel towards her current role as a Criminal Defence Solicitor at Noble Solicitors. To make the leap from criminology graduate to qualified solicitor, Isobel pursued two key legal qualifications at De Montfort University: the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and the Legal Practice Course (LPC).

“Between 2017 and 2018 I completed the Graduate Diploma in Law at De Montfort University,” she explains. “This was a conversion course that gave me the equivalent of a law degree. I completed the seven core modules required to achieve a law degree that would usually be split over three years.

“From 2018 to 2019, I then completed the Legal Practice Course, again at De Montfort University. This was the course that all Solicitors/Barristers were required to complete.”

The Courses That Made a Career

The importance of these postgraduate courses to Isobel’s career path cannot be overstated.

“Completion of both the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course were absolutely essential in being able to pursue employment as a Solicitor. I would not have been able to become a Solicitor without having completed the courses.”

Discovering STWLC

However, as with many postgraduate students, funding these essential studies was a significant challenge. That’s where The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity (STWLC) entered the picture.

“I cannot recall exactly,” Isobel says when asked how she first discovered the Charity. “I believe that there was something advertised at the University or it may have been suggested when I was seeking support to arrange funding for my postgraduate studies.”

A Positive Experience with the Charity

What began as a potential funding solution turned into a pivotal moment in Isobel’s professional development. Her experience with STWLC was not only practical, but also motivational.

“I found the experience helpful! When applying for the loan, it was helpful to be able to clarify, in my own mind, what my plan was for the future. Everyone was very friendly and appeared as though they really wanted to help me invest in my goals.”

The Impact of STWLC

Reflecting on the overall impact of the Charity, Isobel is unequivocal.

“100%. Without STWLC, I don’t know how I would have been able to fund my postgraduate studies which ultimately led me to become a Solicitor. STWLC gave me an opportunity to invest in myself and have confidence that I could pursue my dream job. It is a fantastic Charity aimed at supporting people become their best selves; without taking anything in return. I would have no hesitation in recommending STWLC to anyone.”

Invest in Your Future

Are you looking to invest in your future through postgraduate study but unsure how to fund it?

STWLC offers interest-free education loans of up to £10,000 to help individuals take the next step in their academic and professional journey – just like Isobel did.

Find out more and apply below.

APPLY FOR AN INTEREST-FREE EDUCATION LOAN
Elly

HOW AN STWLC LOAN AND GRANT TRANSFORMED ELLY BLAIR’S CAREER

by Business Success Stories

Elly Blair has always had a deep passion for sports and an appreciation for an active lifestyle. Growing up in Market Harborough, she attended Welland Park and Robert Smyth Academy, where she pursued A-Levels in PE, Maths, Psychology, and Biology. From a young age, Elly was actively engaged in competitive swimming, netball, and dance at Harborough Academy. Her love for sports led her to Sheffield Hallam University, where she studied Physical Activity, Health, and Exercise Science, before moving on to complete her Master’s degree in Sports Therapy at the University of Lincoln.

Discovering The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity

When considering funding options for her postgraduate studies, Elly came across The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity (STWLC). “I was looking into loans available for Master’s degrees, and the education loan at STWLC came up. It was a much better option for my Master’s, being interest-free compared to taking on another student loan,” she recalls.

The MSc Sports Therapy Experience

Elly’s MSc in Sports Therapy was an intensive and hands-on programme, allowing her to develop practical skills essential for her career. “It was a lot of practical sessions to get used to handling, assessing, and treating clients,” she explains. “We spent a lot of time in the gym learning about sports rehabilitation and designing structured rehab plans tailored to each client, rather than handing out generic exercises.”

“Quite simply, I wouldn’t be a qualified Sports Therapist without their education loan, as taking out another huge student loan wasn’t an option.”

A crucial part of her degree was completing 200 hours of placement experience. Elly secured a placement with Wasps Rugby, working in their medical department over the summer. This experience opened doors to a long-term role with the Wasps academy teams, where she worked for five years. “It shows the importance of making the most of placement opportunities and how they can lead to a career after finishing your studies,” she adds.

Launching The Rehab Coach

Building on her professional experience, Elly founded The Rehab Coach, a rehabilitation business based in Market Harborough. The business operates nationwide through online services, offering bespoke rehabilitation programmes to athletes and the general public.

“Having worked in professional sport, I saw the elite level of rehabilitation available to injured players. It made me question why that level of care wasn’t accessible to the general public,” says Elly. The Rehab Coach was born out of a desire to provide high-quality, personalised rehabilitation. Rather than simply prescribing a generic set of exercises, the business assesses each client’s full-body functional movement to uncover underlying causes of injury.

A key differentiator for The Rehab Coach is their use of cutting-edge VALD technology, which tests an athlete’s strengths and weaknesses, asymmetries left to right and also their running, hopping and jumping capabilities, in an objective manner. “This technology allows us to create bespoke rehab programmes based on precise data and track progress over time, ensuring a full recovery and long-term resilience in sport,” Elly explains.

The Impact of the Business Grant

Receiving a business grant from STWLC was a game-changer for The Rehab Coach. “Initially, working alone while raising my little boy meant I had very little time for an online presence. Bringing in my business partner, Harvey, gave us the capacity to take on more clients, and we knew we needed to invest in rebranding and marketing.”

The grant enabled The Rehab Coach to revamp their website, hire a social media manager, and significantly enhance their online presence. “Since implementing these changes just three months ago, we’ve seen a huge increase in enquiries and awareness of our business in town,” she says.

Additionally, the grant allowed The Rehab Coach to upgrade its VALD technology, reinforcing its position as a leader in rehabilitation services. “This equipment is vital to our business. It sets us apart by enabling us to measure weaknesses and imbalances, create data-driven rehab plans, and track client progress to determine when they are ready to return to their sport or activity.”

“Having a social media manager has eased the pressure massively and allows us to have more time for clients”

A Transformational Journey with STWLC

Reflecting on her journey, Elly acknowledges the significant impact of STWLC on her education and business. “Quite simply, I wouldn’t be a qualified Sports Therapist without their education loan, as taking out another huge student loan wasn’t an option. Our business grant has allowed us to take The Rehab Coach to the next level – we’ve tripled our client numbers and can now deliver a more professional service using advanced technology.”

The support from STWLC has also provided much-needed relief in balancing business and family life. “Having a social media manager has eased the pressure massively and allows us to have more time for clients and focus on delivering the best level of rehab to them, rather than content creation and marketing.”

Elly’s journey is a testament to the power of financial support in unlocking opportunities for professional growth. Whether through an interest-free education loan or a business grant, STWLC continues to empower ambitious individuals like Elly to achieve their goals.

If, like Elly, you could benefit from an interest-free education loan up to £10,000 to help cover postgraduate living and tuition costs, please click here to read our eligibility criteria and apply.

Applications for our business grants are currently closed, however we welcome applications for our business loans all year round. These are completely interest-free, available up to £20,000, and can be repaid over a generous nine-year term. Please click here for details.

Lucy and Sarah in Oxford

CHARITY RECEIVES FUNDS TO PROVIDE INTEREST-FREE LOANS IN 2025

by News

Representatives from Leicester’s The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity attended the annual Sir Thomas White Charity distribution lunch at St John’s College, Oxford, on Thursday 16 January 2025; an event which sees funds distributed to individual charities under the Sir Thomas White banner.

STWLC were the grateful recipients of a cheque for a funding allocation which is to be added to the Charity’s existing fund and be used to provide interest-free business and postgraduate education loans to people aged over 18 and under 45 in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

In attendance on behalf of Leicester’s Sir Thomas White Loan Charity for this year’s distribution lunch were Lucy Womack, Chair of STWLC, and Sarah Hope, Operations Manager and Clerk to Trustees at STWLC.

Speaking after the event, Lucy Womack said: “We are very grateful to have received this allocation of funding to help us support more young entrepreneurs and students throughout 2025.

“Over the last two years we have approved over £1M in interest-free loans to people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, which we are incredibly proud of. However, our efforts certainly don’t end there, as this year we’re determined to increase awareness of the Charity even further and tell more people about our unique offer.

Lucy signing

“If you require funds to start a new business, grow a business further, or return to university for postgraduate education, I strongly urge you to consider our interest-free loans – it could be the best decision you ever make!”

To find out more about the interest-free business and education loans available to 18-45s in Leicestershire and Rutland, please click onto our business loan or education loan website pages and complete our contact form.

2024 total infographic

CHARITY AWARDS OVER HALF A MILLION IN INTEREST-FREE LOANS

by News

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity [STWLC] has approved £175,000 in interest-free business and education loans in the final quarter of 2024 – taking the total approval amount for the year up to £545,600.

In the final quarter of 2024, STWLC approved one education loan to the value of £10,000 to support postgraduate studies at university, and 11 business loans totalling £165,000, with recipients including a barber, landscape gardener, bakery, financial adviser and an artist.

“2024’s total of £545,600 is a huge positive in its own right and will go a long way to supporting the business and education aspirations of many young people in the county”

Lucy Womack, Chair of STWLC

That means that 33 interest-free business loans totalling £495,600 were approved in total in 2024, in addition to five interest-free education loans to the total of £50,000.

Lucy Womack, Chair or STWLC, said: “We’re delighted to be ending the year with the news of over half a million pounds in interest-free loans being approved by the Charity in 2024.

“Last year, we broke a record and raised the bar with our approval amount, and knew that would be hard to follow this year, but 2024’s total of £545,600 is a huge positive in its own right and will go a long way to supporting the business and education aspirations of many young people in the county.

“If you’re eyeing up a new business idea for 2025, or want to return to university to study a postgraduate course, head over to our website to see how our interest-free loans can help. 71% of people we interviewed this year received loans, so there’s no reason why you can’t be next!”

Established in 1542, STWLC hosts quarterly application windows each year in which people aged over 18 and under 45 can apply for unique interest-free loans of up to £20,000 to aid local businesses, or £10,000 to support students wishing to return to postgraduate education. The Charity’s loans are interest-free for nine years, and become repayable by equal instalments after three years.

Application packs are available to download upon completion of a contact form on our website. Please follow the tabs above for either ‘business’ or ‘education’.

The next deadline for applications is 3.30pm on Tuesday 7 January 2025.

Q3 2024 Graphic

£141,000 AWARDED IN INTEREST-FREE LOANS TO PEOPLE IN LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND

by News

We’re thrilled to announce that we awarded 10 interest-free loans to people within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in the third quarter of 2024.

Totalling £141,000, the latest sum in interest-free loans is to be utilised to either fund business start-up or development, or postgraduate education.

Nine interest-free business loans totalling £131,000 were approved to support a variety of local businesses including a travel agency, womenswear boutique, mobile caterer and a consultancy firm, as well as a top-up loan for a current business borrower. These individual loans ranged from £5,000 to the full £20,000 available.

Meanwhile, one education loan to the value of £10,000 was approved to enable a student to complete postgraduate studies at university.

Established in 1542, STWLC hosts quarterly application windows each year in which people aged over 18 and under 45 can apply for unique interest-free loans of up to £20,000 to aid local businesses, or £10,000 to support students wishing to return to postgraduate education. The Charity’s loans are interest-free for nine years, and become repayable by equal instalments after three years.

Lucy Womack, Chair of STWLC, said: “We’re very pleased to be supporting a further nine businesses with our interest-free loans this quarter, as well as helping a student to begin a postgraduate course at university.

“Some people say that not paying a penny back in interest on a loan sounds too good to be true, but I promise, that’s our offer! I’d encourage anyone who is starting a small business to visit our website and read the criteria in full. It could be the best decision you ever make!”

Application packs are available to download upon completion of a contact form on our website – please use the tabs listed above.

The next deadline for applications is 3.30pm on Tuesday 1st October 2024.