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DISADVANTAGED boys are being offered a place at one of Oxford's public schools with a bursary in memory of an "inspirational and exceptional" teacher.
On Thursday last week, it was one year since Magdalen College School teacher Dr David Brunton fell to his death from the top of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Radcliffe Square, aged 39.
His widow, Jenny Liddiard, who has been raising money to set up a scholarship in her husband's memory, has announced the first David Brunton scholar will start at his former school in September.
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She called on boys from the county, who could not normally consider the school because of financial reasons, to apply.
Ms Liddiard, who lives with the couple's daughter, Isabel, in Hinton Waldrist, near Wantage, said: "We really wanted to announce something around the anniversary.
"It will be a difficult week, that's stating the obvious, but there is so much that is positive to remember about David, and you have to try to transfer that to something for the future.
"I wanted to be able to do something that is concrete."
Ms Liddiard said her husband - who had worked at the school for 12 years - was passionate about giving boys from less-privileged backgrounds access to the advantages Magdalen College School could offer.
She said "I couldn't think of anything better to do than this.
"Talent shouldn't depend on being wealthy, and places ideally should be awarded on merit, and this is what this is all about. We're looking for someone who has got real potential."
More than £40,000 has been donated to the fund, and £150,000 is needed so the interest will pay for the fees in the long term.
But Ms Liddiard said she was confident the fund was in a position to carry on in perpetuity. The school is providing about 25 per cent of the £11,000 school fees for the award.
It will initially be given for one year, and then reviewed.
Steffan Griffithscor, usher at Magdalen College School, said: "We all knew that David was a good teacher, but it was only the warmth of the tribute from the boys that made it clear to everyone quite how inspirational he was.
"It was clear that he was quite exceptional.
"You just couldn't help but be moved by the touching messages so many of the boys left, and that is why we were very keen to support Jenny's attempts to help a boy study at the school, in line with David's wishes."
Mike O'Regan, chairman of the Hamilton Trust, an educational charity, which works with schools in Rose Hill, Blackbird Leys, and Barton, welcomed the news.
He said: "I hope it could be made available to someone from the disadvantaged areas of Oxford. There are children out there who are academically gifted, but would not be able to go somewhere like that without considerable financial support."
Dr Brunton had suffered from a bi-polar depressive condition, and an inquest into his death in January recorded an open verdict.
Anybody who wants to contribute to the fund can do so by e-mailing davidbruntonbursary@mcsoxford.org, and to apply for the scholarship, call 01865 242191.
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