In November 2022, Northumbria University's Giving Tuesday campaign raised over £7000, to support students enduring financial hardship across the University community. This funding will provide direct and essential support to those most affected by the ongoing cost of living crisis and will help to ensure that all students are able to make the most of their Northumbria University experience regardless of their social or economic circumstances.
Across the month long campaign over 100 alumni from 16 countries pledged their support and donated the cost of a cup of coffee to support those most in need.
Here is why some of donors chose to support our appeal...
Jennifer Childs
BTEC HND Business and Finance 1989
"I benefited from a fee free programme of study between 1986 and
1989. I loved my time at what was then Newcastle Polytechnic. My father
provided funds to help with my living costs but it was a financial
stretch for him. Our own son graduated from the University of Sheffield
in 2022. We were able to financially support his living costs but we are
acutely aware that many families just can't do this, even before the
cost of living increases this year. I'm giving back because I benefited
from a free education and I want other students to see how life chances
can be improved with education, which needs to be accessible. My husband
and I were the first members of our
families to go into higher
education. Accessibility and finding needs to be fair for all."
Holly Smedley
BA (Hons) Business Studies 1993
"I believe in providing equal opportunities for all to get the best out of people for their own sake and for the good of the whole society."
Babatunde Cassim Adepegba
MSc Cyber Security Technolgy 2021
"I understand challenges of students with limited resources because I have experienced it and it is an honour to have an opportunity to chip in"
Eddie Wong
MSc Computing and Information Technology 2017
"I wanted to share some support to the young students who are in need"
Simon Kwong
LLB (Hons) Law 2012
"As an alumnus, I am pleased to contribute a little to my mother college to support students with financial hardship. I myself grew up from a poor family andhad to work through my studies when I was young. You can get through without barriers, no worries!"
If you would like to find out more about what is being done to support those encountering financial hardship across the Northumbria University community, please click here.
To follow in the footsteps of the alumni above and make a donation to our Hardship campaign, please click here.
