Students raise thousands for charity

Students at Sheffield Hallam University have raised almost £10,000 for national and regional charities, by filling in a survey about their university experience.

The University pledged to donate £2 for every student who completed the recent 2013 National Student Survey (NSS). And as a result, 73% of final year students filled it in, raising £9,520.

The money will be shared equally between the four charities nominated by Hallam Union's fundraising committee Raise And Give (RAG). The charities are: the Rotherham branch of the National Autistic Society (NAS); homeless charity Roundabout; children’s charity Barnardo's and Oxfam.

Hallam Union officers and representatives from the four charities attended an official cheque presentation on Friday 17 May by the University's Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Philip Martin.

Steve Oversby, Director of Barnardo's Yorkshire said: “We’re really delighted that students at Sheffield Hallam have selected Barnardo’s as one of their chosen charities. The money will be used to help support the vulnerable children and young people that we work with across Yorkshire. This includes children living in poverty, those who have been abused and those who are disabled. On behalf of Barnardo’s and the children we work with, I would like to say a huge thank you for this generous donation."

Nancy Gartside, Regional Fundraising Manager for Oxfam, said: "This is a fantastic donation and we're very grateful to Sheffield Hallam RAG. The money will go towards helping eradicate poverty here in the UK and across the globe."

The annual National Student Survey urges final year undergraduate students to feedback on their university experience.

The results are used to identify any improvements that need to be made for the next generation of Sheffield Hallam students.

Professor Phillip Martin said: "It means a lot to be able to raise money for these worthy charities through the NSS survey. The incentive for students to raise money in this way means we had an encouraging response rate, which will help ensure we continue improving all aspects of our student experience."

Helen Francis, President of Hallam Union, said: "The NSS provided a great opportunity to involve more students in fundraising while giving feedback on their experience at Sheffield Hallam."
 

For more information contact: the University press office on 0114 225 2811, email pressoffice@shu.ac.uk or contact Hallam Union on 0114 225 4111.