Ten years after he died in the 7/7 London bombings, the family of Kingston University student Philip Russell has spoken about the legacy of a scholarship created in his name.

Mr Russell, a finance manager, was killed by the bomb that ripped apart the number 30 bus in Tavistock Square in the 2005 terrorist attacks, just days before he was due to celebrate his 29th birthday.

The Philip Russell Travel Scholarship has sent 21 Kingston students to take part in projects around the world, including in Nepal, South Africa and Haiti.

Dad Grahame Russell said this week: "It was very hard in the beginning but now we look forward to coming up to the university to meet the scholarship recipients.

"Philip always loved to travel and we wanted to run the scholarship because it meant that students would be doing something positive for other people.

"Philip wasn’t able to complete his life, so it seems fitting that we are now able to give opportunities to others to lead lives they otherwise wouldn’t be able to.

"Each year the students seem to be more and more adventurous and we have seen them come back as better and more worldly wise people. This, in return, helps us to keep Philip’s memory alive."

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Scholarship projects have included giving physiotherapy to disabled orphans, building fresh water tanks, and shark conservation.

Three others with links to the borough died in the attacks, which killed 52 and injured more than 700.

They were former Surbiton High School pupil Emily Jenkins, 24, Laura Webb, 29 and Ojara Ikeagwu, 55. 

Miss Jenkins, who dreamed of becoming a midwife, was described by her mother Sarah as "extremely sociable and popular" and "the only grandchild to get away with teasing my austere mother and father."

The family, who lived in Kew at the time, added in a statement after her death: "She had a love of life and a great ability to bring out the best in people. Emily will be remembered for her enthusiasm and her deep passion for her family and friends."

Miss Webb had been planning her wedding when she was killed. Her mother, Hazel, told the inquest into her death: "Laura was always happy and laughing. She was kind and caring, and could always see the best in people."

Miss Webb grew up in Kingston Vale and attended Coombe Girls' School.

Mrs Ikeagwu, a social worker in Hounslow who completed an MA at Kingston University in 2000 and was killed by the Russell Square bomb.

At the time, the university's head of social work school Hilary Tompsett paid tribute to the mother of three, saying: "She will be sadly missed.

"Her lively and colourful personality will be long remembered as well as her determination to finish her studies and to gain a Master’s degree on top of her professional qualifications as a social worker.

"She was so proud of her achievement, coming from a family of respected doctors and graduates, and it was clear they were proud of her too."