Scholarship In Loving Memory Of Victoria
3 April 2008
Victoria Delacroix
A scholarship award has been set up in memory of a University of Derby student who died tragically following a skydiving accident.
Victoria Delacroix, 22, was preparing to make her first parachute jump to tackle a lifelong phobia of heights while working in America on July 29, 2006, when the plane crashed into an electricity pole. Victoria died of her injuries in hospital.
Four other passengers died when the twin-engine light aircraft crashed, and two more were seriously injured.
In the weeks leading up to the accident, Victoria had been working with disabled children at an American Summer Camp in Sullivan, Missouri. She had just completed her BSc (Hons) Geography degree at Derby. The parachute jump, organised through the Quantum Leap Skydiving Centre in Sullivan, was just one of several activities she had planned along with sightseeing while on the summer break in America.
Now her family is spearheading a scholarship campaign to pay for another Derby student to experience precious time at the American summer camp which Victoria had enjoyed.
The opportunity has also been made possible with support from Camp Counselors USA (CCUSA), a London-based work and travel exchange company, and the University of Derby’s Career Development Centre. But students must act quickly as they only have on Monday, April 14, to apply.
Victoria’s mother, Susan Delacroix, 57, from Blandford Road, Beckenham, in Kent, said: “I am really pleased that we have been able to launch this initiative as it helps to keep Victoria’s memory alive.
“Initially when she went to America she was not planning to take her mobile phone, but I’m so glad she did as she used to ring up on Wednesdays and Saturdays to chat to me and Vivian (Susan’s husband) as well as her sisters, about what she had been doing.
“Victoria had been enjoying the trip so much and got so much from working with adults with disabilities. One of her fondest memories was dressing up as a leprechaun to run through the woods as part of a treasure hunt game, with campers trying to catch her.
She rang me and told me it was one of the best things she had done in her life. That was just days before she died.
“We are still coming to terms with what happened and miss our beautiful daughter so much. But at least this scholarship will enable another student to enjoy the same opportunities that Victoria had enjoyed at the summer camp.”
The Delacroix family have been asked to comment on the safety aspects of the accident, which they say is too upsetting. Instead, they are trying to concentrate on ensuring something positive comes out of what happened, by launching this scholarship initiative.
All Derby students who apply to take part in the CCUSA summer camp excursion this year will be invited to fill in an application form about why they should win the scholarship to have their fees paid. Mr and Mrs Delacroix will judge and choose the most fitting entry.
A spokesman for CCUSA said: “We are offering the opportunity for one University of Derby student to attend Sunnyhill Adventures in loving memory of Victoria Delacroix. This will be to enable another student to follow the work that Victoria loved doing, before her time was tragically cut short.
“In 2006, she had been spending her summer break working at an American Summer Camp ensuring that campers with special needs had a positive and enriching experience.”
Gemma Palmer, who works within the University of Derby’s Career Development Centre, is promoting the initiative and said: “Working with CCUSA and Victoria’s family, this is a fitting tribute to Victoria and in its own way, helps reflect what a fantastic student and person she was, and ensure that she is never forgotten.
“The winning entrant will be keen and enthusiastic about working with campers with additional needs, and someone who is willing to work hard and make a difference in these campers’ lives.”
Sunnyhill Adventures is an award winning programme that offers campers fun, exciting and educational experiences in a beautiful outdoor setting. This residential summer camp combines traditional camping activities plus specially selected and adapted events to meet the needs of each group. It has been running for 22 years, helping children and adults with developmental disabilities.
You can find out more about the scholarship on the University of Derby website pages at: www.derby.ac.uk/careers/vickys-scholarship. The deadline is Monday, April 14.
-ends-
For more information about this news release, contact Simon Butt, Press and PR Officer, on 01332 591891 or 07748 920023, or email: s.butt@derby.ac.uk.
This press release was written by Deputy Head of Press and PR Simon Redfern on 01332 591942, or email: s.redfern@derby.ac.uk.
