University Hardship fund appeal tops £28k with one week left to go

The University of Bradford’s emergency covid-19 hardship fund has raised £28,000, with one week left to go.

The fund, which was set up in December and which raised £5,000 in its first day, was launched to augment the University’s existing hardship fund, which is there to help students who find themselves in financial difficulty. The previous target was to raise £20,000.

When the first lockdown was introduced in March 2020, the University responded by providing hardship funding, but as the situation continued, the applications for support rose exponentially and so the decision was made to appeal to alumni, staff and the general public for their support.

Since then hundreds of students have benefited from the fund, either through one-off payments or food donations and other forms of support.

Michael Westfield, pictured, a PhD student at the University of Bradford, is among those who have benefited. He said: “The Emergency Covid-19 Hardship Fund has been an invaluable resource that has definitely helped my academic progress.

“By providing financial support through a challenging transitional phase between work and alternative sources of funding for further study during lockdown, I consider the Hardship Fund as an integral factor for my recent success in transferring to PhD. I’m so grateful to everyone who has contributed to the Appeal.”

Sarah Jones, Student Life Manager from Student, Academic & Information Services, said: “Students have been experiencing hardship since the first lockdown. With the ability to find part time work reduced significantly, students began to struggle to pay for the bare essentials, such as food, heating and accommodations costs.”

“With the truly wonderful support of alumni, staff and the community, the Appeal has raised £28,000 to date and will continue until 19 March, so if you feel able to support our students and help them reach their potential, please contribute.”

Select this link to contribute.