LIFE will never be the same again for one young Lancashire student ... thanks to Thwaites.
Kay Gibson, 21, of Mellor, has just returned from China as one of
10 recipients of the famous Thwaites' travel scholarship. The two-week trip made such a big impression on Kay that she has taken time out to write a special thank-you letter to Thwaites' president and chairman John and Ann Yerburgh.
Ironically, Kay's mother, Sue, missed out on the Thwaites' scholarship back in the late '60s when a proposed trip to Tanzania was called off due to the break out of war.
Kay, who was part of a special presentation evening at Blackburn Town Hall when the students gave a slide show of their experiences, said: "The trip has changed me as a person and I hope that in years to come I will be able to pass on some of the things I have learned from the Chinese people. They will stay in my heart forever."
During the trip Kay stayed with two Chinese families: "They treated me as one of their own and when I left it was hard to hold back the tears. They have so little, yet were willing to share everything with us."
The students travelled hundreds of miles across the country and saw many of the cultural sights, including the 2,000-year-old terracotta warriors in the ancient capital of Xi'an, the Buddhist cliff carvings along the Yi River and the Great Wall and Forbidden City. They also visited areas not normally seen by tourists.
"The trip was more than words can explain. It beats any experience I ever had, and will have. It has made me stronger as a person and more tolerant and sympathetic," added Kay.
Thwaites managing director Brian Hickman said: "It is clear that the trip had a big impact on Kay and Mr and Mrs Yerburgh were delighted to receive her letter and read the sentiments contained within it."
The Thwaites' travel scholarship was first established in the late 1950s by Mr Yerburgh, the great, great grandson of Daniel Thwaites. Since then hundreds of young people from Lancashire have taken part in the programme, learning to appreciate and respect cultures from all over the world.