A Student Hardship Appeal coordinated by the Department of Development & Alumni Relations (DDAR) has raised £18,886 to help Bath students struggling with the cost of living crisis over winter. This will provide at least ten grants to students in need.

More than 250 alumni and staff donated to the appeal, which launched at the start of December, including an incredible 140 people making their first gift to the University.

Andy Leahy, Team Leader (Funding and Retention) from the University’s Student Support team, says:

I would like to extend a warm and heartfelt thank you to everybody who kindly donated to our recent campaign to assist students with the rise in the cost of living.

He continues: “Your generosity is immensely appreciated, especially in light of these particularly difficult times, and your donation will make a tremendous difference to recipients who will benefit by being able to fully focus on their studies and reach the goals they hope to achieve.”

Helping with hardship

The Student Hardship Fund provides emergency grants to help students with living costs including rent, food, energy and travel. Applications to the Fund have increased by a third compared to this time last year, and the average grant amount has risen by £300 to £1,800.

Crowdfunding at Bath was set up in 2018 and means that anyone at the University can create a fundraising campaign. Unlike other crowdfunding sites, the projects benefit from a Gift Aid boost and no admin fees. For more information, please visit our webpage or email advancement@bath.ac.uk.