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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.

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.

Business loan borrower Leicester

GEORGIE ANSELL: BUILDING A STRONG BUSINESS

by Business Success StoriesNews

“Life is about living and you work for the majority of it, so why not do something you love!” 

These wise words come from Georgie Ansell, who is proof that following a passion for a career can be hugely satisfying and rewarding, with her business, Georgie Ansell Personal Training, now thriving thanks in part to our interest-free business loan. 

Georgie grew up in Rutland with her mum, dad and brother and returned to the county soon after completing an undergraduate degree in Leeds. 

“I then travelled South East Asia, which was one of the most amazing experiences,” Georgie explained. 

“I came back from travelling and decided I wanted to have a career as a PA, so I started working as a receptionist for land developers and worked my way up to being a PA for the COO of the company.” 

While doing this job, Georgie found her love for fitness and having travelled around Australia for six weeks, she decided to take the brave step of changing her career path. 

“I soon left the PA role and trained to be a personal trainer,” she continued.  “During my training I had a full-time job caring for the elderly in Rutland, which was really rewarding.  I have been a qualified PT for just over six years, but running it as a full-time business for 20 months.”

Unlike most other gyms, Georgie Ansell Personal Training provides a small, intimate and comfortable setting for people to train.

“My personal training business offers one-to-one and small group sessions in a private gym based just outside of Oakham, Rutland. The space is unique as its only me and the person training. It takes away the big gym environment and provides a space they can feel comfortable in.” 

“I did some research as I wanted to expand my business,” Georgie reflected when recounting STWLC’s role in her entrepreneurial story.

“The interview was great, the Trustees put me at ease and were very supportive through the whole process.” 

Georgie Ansell

“It was then while searching the web for loans that I came across STWLC. I found the process straight-forward. The business plan gets provided so you know what you need to include. The interview was great, the Trustees put me at ease and were very supportive through the whole process.” 

Once Georgie’s interest-free business loan was approved, she quickly went about putting the funds to good use.

“I used the funds to renovate part of an old chicken shed so I could use it as a private gym space,” Georgie continued. 

“I was also able to purchase equipment for the gym. I bought two sets of cardio machines, a rig, with a squat rack, pull up bar and pulley machine, plus barbells, dumbbells, storage units and much more functional fitness equipment. I also purchased a laptop for admin.”

Finishing with a final word on STWLC’s impact, Georgie put it simply:

“I wouldn’t be in the position I am with my business without them!”

To make an enquiry to Georgie Ansell Personal Training, please email: info@georgieansellpersonaltraining.co.uk 

For more information on our interest-free business loans, available up to £20,000 over a nine-year period with no repayments required in the first three years, please click here

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INTRODUCING OUR BRAND-NEW VIDEO!

by News

We’re delighted to release our brand-new video, featuring six small businesses from across Leicestershire & Rutland who were successful in receiving interest-free business loans from the Charity.

Narrated by Lee Wheeler-Tomes of Orange Fox Studios, who is an education and business loan borrower from STWLC himself, the video illustrates how we are a local charity for local entrepreneurs, run by people from the county. The video shows the entrepreneurs who are on our doorstep, with the aim of inspiring others to realise they have a way to make their dreams come true.

The featured entrepreneurs and businesses are:

– Sara Aspinal – STAK Knee Stretcher in Bagworth
– Oliver Forty – Jollie Campers in Husbands Bosworth
– Dhilon Devji – Dhil’s Vegan Street Food in Wigston
– Steven McKerrow – Mouseskins in Loughborough
– Caroline Stafford – The Kitsch Hen in Oakham
– Liga Orlovska – Honeycraft in Leicester

Lucy Womack, STWLC Chair, said: “This is something we’ve been working on for some time, so we’re absolutely delighted to see the video come together and be shared far and wide.

“We’re always telling people about what we offer, but this video was all about showing the real-life difference that our interest-free loans make for businesses in our region, straight from the mouths of the entrepreneurs themselves.

“Off the back of a fantastic 2023, where we approved a massive £600,000 in interest-free loans, we’re looking forward to supporting more entrepreneurs like Sara, Oliver, Dhilon, Steven, Caroline and Liga in 2024.”

Speaking within the video, Liga Orlovska of Honeycraft, who runs Meet the Bees experiences at Bradgate Park, said: “Without The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, most likely there wouldn’t be Meet the Bees at Bradgate Park. When I looked into other business loans, as a single parent with two children, I was either ineligible to apply or it was too high risk. So, the (STWLC) loan was crucial in me opening the business.”

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.

Alexander Saunders Title

Saunders Multi-Media: Providing The Means To Create A Business

by Business Success Stories

Alexander Saunders always knew he wanted to build something within Leicester and, thanks to an interest-free business loan from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, he has been able to do just that.

The founder of Saunders Multi-Media found opportunities to work within the media locally hard to come by following graduation from university. Having worked on a freelance basis for a number of companies within their production departments, Alexander made the leap and set off on the path of becoming his own boss.

“When I left my role with (retailer) Next, I started to pick up more freelance work, starting with the odd favour for friends, but soon it started to snowball and pick up from there,” explained Alexander. “It was at that point that I realised that, with a bit of funding, I could turn what I was doing into a legitimate business.”

Saunders Multi-Media specialises in the fields of videography and photography, working extensively within music sector, crafting music videos and covering live events, in addition to producing material for a variety of promotional purposes.

That bit of funding he required came courtesy of The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, which Alexander discovered through connecting with business support provider NBV. That support through NBV provided Alexander, admittedly a complete newcomer to the world of running a business, with knowledge and insight to accompany his professional skills.

“Looking back, I wish I’d applied sooner,” admitted Alexander when discussing The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity. “I was probably a bit taken aback, thinking it was too good to be true. When I first heard about it, I thought it sounded amazing. If I didn’t have the support of the charity, 100% I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.

“I was able to undertake a couple of business courses, which I took prior to applying for the loan, which were useful. At the start, it was very hard. I had the knowledge and entry level equipment, but didn’t have the business acumen needed to run a business. I found out about the charity through NBV, as one of the advisers there – Gau Naik – is a trustee. I was directed onto NBV’s courses, which helped form my business plan and I was able to then go through the charity’s application process. The support I received from NBV and the courses was excellent – and if it wasn’t for those courses, I wouldn’t have been in the position to develop a realistic business.”

From that point, Alexander felt in a position to put his business idea and what he’d learned from NBV into practice by applying for an interest-free loan to get his business up and running.

“The application process was relatively easy, especially with the support that I had” said Alexander. “It was a case of tweaking a couple of bits from my business plan. It helped me look at things in depth and be realistic. Sometimes you have to mediate and be grounded, realise where you are actually at, rather than where you think you are. NBV’s guidance helped with that. It helped me grow as a person.

“I felt confident going into the interview, of course nervous to start with as you always are in those situations. You quickly realise that the people you’re speaking to want to help you.”

After seeing his application for a loan approved, Alexander utilised the funding to purchase professional videography equipment, which in turn enabled him to deliver a greater service than ever before, whilst a sum was also set out for marketing purposes; namely a new website for his business.

“I’ve always encouraged anybody interested in applying for a loan from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity to go for it,” admitted Alexander. “I’ve got friends in similar situations to me when I left uni, working in a corporate job and not enjoying it, and I say to them that they should go for it and take a risk while they’re young. When you have a charity like The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity that has terms which enable you to build something, you owe it to yourself to try. It’s a personal loan, so it’s not held against the business. Me personally, I’m only paying back £80 a month.

“It’s a worthy investment in your future. I wouldn’t be where I am without the charity.”

To learn more about Saunders Multi-Media, please visit https://www.saundersmultimedia.com/

Alternatively, please click here to find out more about The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity’s interest-free business loans.

Grant Scheme Launch Website

Charity To Deliver Grants Of Up To £5,000 To Businesses Within The County

by News

Having provided interest-free loans to help support aspiring and existing business owners within Leicestershire and Rutland since 1542, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is delighted to announce that it is now welcoming applications for grants of up to £5,000 to support businesses within the county.

Following a hugely successful pilot business grant scheme in 2021, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity has ensured further support be delivered in the same way this year, as the country continues to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of £50,000 has been allocated by The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity to be delivered in business grants for 2022, and provides an additional opportunity for one of the city’s oldest charities to help more businesses at what has been an unprecedented period. Whereas the charity’s interest-free business loans are to be repaid, these grants of up to £5,000 require no repayment by recipients at all.

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£64,500 Approved in Interest-Free Loans by Charity

by News

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is pleased to announce details of interest-free loans approved in our second quarter of 2022.

A grand total of £64,500 was approved in loans by the charity’s board at its latest meeting, which follows on from interviews with applicants to learn more about their respective ventures or plans and acts as the culmination of the charity’s application process.

Of that sum, a total of £17,500 was approved in loans to help support two business ventures within Leicestershire and Rutland; a driving instructor and a photographer.

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Interest-Free Loans Totalling £145,500 Awarded to People in Leicestershire & Rutland

by News

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is pleased to announce that 12 interest-free loans were awarded to people within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in the final quarter of 2021.

Totalling £145,500, the latest sum in interest-free loans is to be utilised to either fund business start-up or development, or postgraduate education.

Established in 1542, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity 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.

At the culmination of 2021, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity approved eight loans totalling £105,500 which will support the start-up or development of local business ventures, including a cleaning service, vegan fast-food outlet and a clothing retailer.

Of the eight loans for business approved, one delivered additional support to a business that had already benefited from one of the charity’s loans previously, highlighting the continued backing on offer from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity.

A further four loans, totalling £40,000, was approved to support students wishing to return to university to study for postgraduate qualifications, which include a PhD in chemistry and Mphil Classical Archaeology.

David Howard, Chair of Trustees of The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, said: “We’re delighted to have been able to approve a total of £145,500 at the culmination of 2021, but looking ahead to 2022, we simply want to help more people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

“It’s been another challenging year for so many people, who have felt the effect of the on-going pandemic on the economy. The loans on offer from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity are truly unique. Nowhere else can you borrow up to £20,000 interest-free to help start or grow a business, nor would you get three years before equal monthly repayments start. We do offer that, so I’d encourage anybody who feels they could benefit from such support in 2022 to consider applying.”

Application packs are available to download upon completion of a contact form on our Business Loans and Education Loans pages.

The next deadline for applications is 3.30pm on Tuesday 4 January 2022.