Students' Hard Work Benefits Charity Close To Their Hearts
5 June 2013
Photograph of some of the BEd students including Victoria Kilby, (front row far left) handing the cheque to Tina Kang from Barnardos (front second from left), and Heather Walker from the Sherwood Project (centre) with their programme leader, Sharon Bell, (far right)
The students braved arctic weather conditions to fundraise with sponsored walks, sleep-outs, bucket collections and more. They truly went above and beyond our expectations in raising funds for Barnardo's and we are honoured and thankful to have their invaluable support.
”Barnardo's Student Fundraising Officer, Tina Kang.
After raising almost seven and a half thousand pounds over the past year, a group of University of Derby students are now close to reaching a staggering £30,000 through fundraising activity for their chosen charity, Barnardo's.
A group of 200 BEd (Hons) Education degree students gathered at the University on June 3 (2013) to hear the final total they have raised during the last year, and present a cheque to children's charity Barnardo's' Student Fundraising Officer, Tina Kang.
This year's fundraising activities included music performances, a 'Zumbathon' fitness party, a 'sleep out' where students experienced sleeping outdoors, a supermarket bag pack and a quiz night. Through city centre fundraising alone on a very snowy March 22, the students collected £500 from public donations.
The £7,495 raised this year took the total amount raised by cohorts of BEd (Hons) Education degree students over the last five years to £28,495. All of the money goes towards Barnardo's projects for children in Derby and across the East Midlands.
Barnardo's Student Fundraising Officer, Tina Kang, said: "The students braved arctic weather conditions to fundraise with sponsored walks, sleep-outs, bucket collections and more. They truly went above and beyond our expectations in raising funds for Barnardo's and we are honoured and thankful to have their invaluable support."
Second year Education student Victoria Kilby, 20, added: "As aspiring teachers, children's charities like Barnardo's are very close to our hearts. Everyone worked really hard to fundraise in some really creative ways for this fantastic charity, and we are chuffed to have raised so much money."
Nottingham and Derbyshire charity the Sherwood Project benefited from the money raised by Barnardo's last year. The charity provides a range of support services to families where a child or young person has a life-limiting illness or condition.
Heather Walker from the Sherwood Project, added: "We would like to thank the students for all their support - It's going to have a massive impact on the lives of many young people. The money raised last year was used to put on activities and support groups for young people with life limiting illnesses and their families, making a huge difference to their lives during difficult times."
Sharon Bell, University BEd Programme Leader, said: "As a team we think it is important to give something back to our community. It is heart-warming to know that our efforts make a difference to local children. As trainee teachers, our students develop so many transferable skills through the fundraising and working together. It is essential that they are committed to helping children and young people.
"I've been really proud of the efforts of the students this year as they demonstrated determination in a week of snow and below zero temperatures to continue with their events and the amazing total increases our overall fundraising total to nearly £30,000 since our relationship started five years ago."
For more information on studying BEd (Hons) Education at the University of Derby visit www.derby.ac.uk/education or for more information about the Barnardo's charity, visit www.barnardos.org.uk
