About Violet Reece
Violet was born on the 23 February 1934 on the island of Barbados, West Indies. She was the daughter of plantation workers. In 1957 she decided to seek her fortune in England having heard that the streets were paved with gold
She took a ship on 19 October 1957 and travelled 4,214 miles (or 6782 km) to England to start a new life. Her journey across the sea took her to Genova in Italy and then on to England taking over two months by sea.
Life in England was not always easy but she celebrated the good times and endured and triumphed over the bad times to eventually prosper.
On 1st September 2009 she left this world leaving her family and friends with a lifetime of memories.
Like many of her generation she intended to stay for a while and then return to Barbados with her gold. The gold on the streets of London tuned out to be a myth but over the years Violet discovered great treasures in her family and friends.
Today we celebrate the values of Violet Reece in this prize. A cash prize is awarded to a student or new professional each year. The prize recognises the core values of persistence, resilience and doing your best.
The Violet Reece Prize consists of :
a cash prize of £500
Free work advice & coaching package worth £1,200
Requirements of entry
- Over 18 years
- a state education and NOT privately educated in a fee paying school, and
- obtained a university degree or post graduate qualification in the UK or
- Any new professional who has overcome obstacles to qualify or practise in a profession in which they have no family connection. See our terms and conditions for full conditions of entry.
- The competition is open from 1st October each year until the close of the competition on 31 December 2020 at 13.00.