Give big to our first-ever Big Give charity challenge

Our first-ever Big Give Christmas Challenge gets underway this month and we are asking our staff and students for help in raising money.

Between Tuesday 28 November and Tuesday 5 December, the university will be aiming to raise £2,000 through donations for our Audiology students.

This sum will significantly help to alleviate the financial worries that our students undertaking their mandatory 30-week unpaid placement will likely experience, allowing them to focus on their education and improving their practical skills.

All donations are matched by the Big Give platform, so every contribution will go a long way in helping us reach our target.

We have secured £2,000 in match funding from the Big Give, meaning that the first £2,000 we raise from generous donations in the week between Tuesday 28 November and Tuesday 5 December will be doubled.

Donations to our Big Give fundraising page can be made between 28th November and 5th December 2023 only.

Why have we chosen Audiology students?

As a university, we strive to empower our community and create a fairer society. Many medical students have been hit particularly hard by the rising cost of living, juggling a high number of contact hours with their studies. In many cases, casual employment isn’t always an option.

There is an NHS Learning Support Fund, which makes a £5,000 grant available to many healthcare students at the university. However, this funding is currently not available to our Audiology students who, like many students who receive the grant, are required to complete a minimum 30-week placement as part of their course.

Not all families can financially support their children through university and the added stress may not only affect our students’ professional development but also their mental wellbeing.

Through our proposed fundraiser, Audiology students with the greatest need will be offered between £500-£2,000, depending on individual requirements.  

Should we raise over our target income, we would look to establish a lasting fund, ensuring support for the next 3-5 years.

What is the Big Give?

Founded in 2007 by Sir Alec Reed, the Big Give is a match funding platform that champions good causes.

Each donation made by the public is then matched by philanthropists, foundations or corporations to double the overall total.

Interested in finding out more?

If you want to find out more about this and ways in which you can support, or to suggest future fundraising opportunities, please email Paisley Tomlinson at paisley.tomlinson@dmu.ac.uk or Thomas Weir at thomas.weir@dmu.ac.uk.