Celebrating charitable efforts

Thursday 1 May 2008

University students, staff, local residents, community representatives and those involved with supported charities gathered for the Charitable St Andrews event. (Credit: Peter Adamson)

An outstanding total of over £160,000 was raised by student fundraising efforts in St Andrews this year.

The University hosted a celebratory Charitable St Andrews event last night to recognise the work its students do for charity and to mark their achievements.

The special event, held in Lower College Hall, brought together University staff and students with local residents, community representatives and those involved with supported charities.

Fife Council Provost Frances Melville congratulated the students on their fundraising efforts.  She said, “You have done brilliantly. A public thank you is long overdue, not just for your work this year but over many, many years.”

“Building the wave that drives change” was jointly hosted by University Proctor Professor Christopher Smith and Rector Simon Pepper.  The event highlighted the hard work St Andrews students do for local, national and international causes.

Director of Student Development and Activities Jenny Mackay said, “Of the 129 affiliated student societies of the Students Association, most partake in fundraising events or activities throughout the academic year, bringing general awareness of worthy causes into the consciences of St Andrews students.”

As well as such activities, a dedicated Charities Campaign exists to fundraise throughout the year with ventures including sponsored hitchhikes in Europe, a Raising and Giving week, and local fun run.  The 2007/2008 year is the most successful year on record for the Charities Campaign, with a final total approaching £60,000.

There are also other student groups which are not affiliated to the Students’ Association but dedicate themselves to charitable causes.  These include the University’s annual fashion shows, FS and Don’t Walk, which together brought in over £40,000 for their respective charities.

In total, student charity effort raised around £20 per student in St Andrews.  Combined charity events in St Andrews have donated £162,244 between April 2007 and April 2008 to many local, national, and international charities such as Amnesty International, Habitat for Humanity, UNICEF and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Rector Simon Pepper celebrated the energy and passion of the students involved in charitable works.   He commented, “The University of St Andrews Students’ Association works hard to develop and support the charitable work done by lots of disparate groups across the University community.

“We’d like to pay tribute to our current volunteers for the difference they make, showing how pooling resources can really make an impact, and help our local communities and employers to see the good work that is being done.”

Provost of Fife Frances Melville presented David Haines, Convenor of the Charities Campaign, with the Fife Shield marking civic appreciation of charitable achievements by the student community.

ENDS

NOTE TO PICTURE EDITORS:

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Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Fiona Armstrong, Press Officer on 01334 462530 / 462529, mobile 07730 415 015, or email [email protected]
Ref:  charities 30/04/08
View the latest University press releases at www.st-andrews.ac.uk


Category Fundraising

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