The University of Nottingham

In memory of a highly talented University alumnus who died from testicular cancer, aged 23, IBM is providing a prize for the top-performing first year student in the School of Computer Science.

Josh Carrick was diagnosed in September 2010 shortly after graduating with a degree in Computer Science.  He had already landed his dream job as a technology consultant for IBM but died a year later in October 2011, just a week after learning that his cancer was incurable.

So that Josh’s memory may continue to inspire IBM has provided a £100 prize for the top-performing first year student in the School of Computer Science plus a visit to its UK innovation labs for the top five Nottingham students. The prize will be given for the next five years.

Mum and dad Steve and Arlene Carrick, along with twin Dominic, have set up The Josh Carrick Foundation, a registered charity which has already raised nearly £50,000 which will help fund a project with Cancer Research UK as well funding a project at Mount Vernon Hospital in Hertfordshire where Josh was treated.

Nine of the charity’s trustees are University of Nottingham alumni and those friends and others have helped raise £2,000 with a quiz before Christmas and a further £4,000 by taking part in Movember, two London to Brighton Bike Rides raising over £12,000 and one of Josh’s friends father did a trek to Everest base camp raising £10,000. Many more events are planned for 2013.

IBM’s Business Analytics and Optimisation Recruitment Leader for Europe Michael Conway said: “Josh was a very good friend of mine and we started at IBM on the same day. In the short time he was with IBM he showed how charismatic, talented and full of leadership qualities he was, and how he was destined for great things.

“From a personal point of view, I miss him a lot and often think about what we would be working on together, I’m sure, whatever it was, it would have been fun! IBM wanted to provide  a prize in Josh’s name so that we could ensure his impact  inspired the next generation of graduates and celebrate the relationship IBM has with Nottingham’s alumni”

For more about The Josh Carrick Foundation please visit: www.thejoshcarrickfoundation.org/

To donate in Josh’s memory visit: www.justgiving.com/thejoshcarrickfoundation

Or just ‘like’ the Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Josh-Carrick-Foundation/395589090477326