Northumbria staff and students raise funds for North East Hospices

It was recognised that charities have experienced a reduction in their donation income, in part, due to the temporary closing of charity shops and postponement of fundraising events. Fundraising is really important to UK Hospices as they provide essential services to people with life-limiting diseases and their families. These charities rely on public generosity, through donations and fundraising, to generate at least two thirds of their income.

Hospices are valued partners of the University and continue to provide our students with invaluable work placement opportunities and first-hand employability experiences. The Nursing, Midwifery & Health Department at Northumbria University wanted to think of ways they could help and give back, so decided to raise funds for five of the North East's Hospices: Jigsaw Children’s, Marie Curie, St. Benedict’s, St. Cuthbert’s, and St Oswald’s.

In these challenging times, especially for providers of nursing and healthcare services, staff and students of the department decided to challenge themselves in a variety of ways. Some undertook a daily walk, run, jog, cycle (or even a shuffle!) through the month of June, whilst others are embarked on a variety of other fundraising activities. Sasha Ban, Senior Lecturer in Children’s Nursing, even opted to shave her head as her way of contributing to the fundraising efforts getting the donations off to an amazing start! The department are proud to have raised £2,769, smashing their original target of £2,500.