Burnley student who was in a coma is now training to be a doctor thanks to historic fund

A student who spent three weeks in a coma after contracting pneumonia and sepsis has been awarded financial support from a fund set up by a Burnley businessman more than 100 years ago.

Edward Stocks Massey died in 1909 and left £135,000 in his will – the equivalent of more than £20million in today's money – which is to be used to support the arts and education in Burnley.

The Edward Stocks Massey Bequest was established in 1910 and continues to award annual grants to promote science, learning, music and theatre in Burnley, along with up to three educational bursaries for students entering tertiary education.

The Bequest has now awarded educational bursaries to two former Burnley College students to help with their learning at university.

Eshan Bilal, 18, is studying Medicine at the University of St Andrews, just two and a half years after becoming seriously ill.

In March 2022, Eshan was admitted to the Royal Blackburn Hospital after contracting pneumonia, but then transferred to the high dependency unit at Manchester Children's Hospital.

When his condition deteriorated further, he was moved to the intensive care unit where he was diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis.

"All my organs were inflamed, both of my lungs had collapsed, veins had collapsed," Eshan said.

He was placed in an induced coma for three weeks and spent a total of two months in hospital, during which he had to learn how to walk again.

Eshan has always wanted to be a doctor and believes he now has a better understanding of patients.

"I know exactly how it feels to be sat in the bed, I know exactly how it feels not be able to walk, eat or to even breath for yourself. And not even be able to speak, because I was mute for a few weeks," he said.

Eshan hopes to become a paediatric consultant and the student support scholarship means he can continue his voluntary work in the community.

He said: "My worries coming to St Andrews were that because of the majorly expensive lifestyle, the pressure from the studies of medicine and financial pressures, it will force me to get a part time job.

"They expect us to be working 50+ hours a week in medicine, so that, and a part time job to meet financial requirements, wouldn't leave me any time to carry out community work anymore.

"So, I can keep helping people."

Olivia Phillips, 19, will also benefit from the Edward Stocks Massey Bequest this year.

Olivia is studying Film Production at the University of Salford and was inspired to apply for her course after re-watching the film Fantastic Mr Fox when she was 13-years-old.

She hopes to work in the film industry, but getting essential equipment and facilities can be expensive.

Olivia said: "I won't have to sacrifice getting good materials for a film, investing in good quality costumes and hiring actors and I can put a bit more money into making my films look like how I want them.

"Even just travelling to locations if there's somewhere specific I want to film.

"I've got a job, but it would have been a lot more difficult, and I would have had a lot less freedom without this."

County Councillor Peter Buckley, cabinet member for Community and Cultural Services, said: "Edward Stocks Massey was a philanthropist so it is fitting that Eshan and Olivia are going into fields that help and inspire others through medicine and creativity.

"They are both the first in their immediate family to attend university, which is incredibly inspiring.

"They are hugely deserving of this funding and the Bequest will continue to support not only students, but voluntary groups and organisations in the Burnley area that benefit the community for decades to come.

"I would encourage organisations and individuals to apply for funding from the Edward Stocks Massey Bequest when applications open again next Spring."

Applications to the Stocks Massey Bequest for 2025 will be invited during April/ May 2025.