Brunel University London has managed to raise over £18,000 after launching its very first Giving Day fundraiser. Over 300 donors consisting of alumni, staff, students and friends participated in the 36-hour online giving event, held March 15-16 to support Brunel students and academics at risk.
Donors designated their gifts to support the following funds:
-
Sanctuary Scholarships – Helps provide a safe refuge and funding at Brunel for academics at risk from conflict in their home countries.
-
Global Opportunities – Helps create opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to travel, undertake a short work placement overseas and fulfil their potential.
-
Student Hardship – Helps provide emergency grants and ensure students don’t abandon their education because of financial worries.
-
Brunel Annual Fund – Enable us to fund every student who needs it, support excellence in teaching and research, & fund emerging opportunities for learning and discovery.
Huw Harris, Advice and Wellbeing Manager, Union of Brunel Students, said: “The Union of Brunel Students would like to thank supporters for their invaluable donations. The cost of living crisis has affected students disproportionately and is very difficult for students to make ends meet. As student maintenance loans are not lined up with inflation, students are faced with finding an extra £439 a month!
“In a recent survey of Brunel Students who accessed financial support via our Hardship Fund in 2022, we found that half of the students who responded stated that they considered dropping out of their studies because of the financial hardship they faced. Of this number, 66% said that the financial support they received from the Union was one of the major factors in their ability to continue their studies. The support that we've received from Brunel Giving Day has been astonishing and will help so many students make sure they finish their studies and get the absolute best experience they can have at Brunel. Thank you.”