Plymouth University and its Students’ Union (UPSU) have donated more than £21,000 to Teenage Cancer Trust.
The donation follows the University’s pledge to give five pounds for every National Student Survey (NSS) completed by its final year students.
The NSS is held every year from January to April, and offers students the opportunity to share their feedback and insight on their experience of taking a degree at their chosen institution.
This year, 4,295 Plymouth University students completed the NSS, and following a vote, chose Teenage Cancer Trust as the charity they wanted to benefit from the University’s donation, totalling £21,475.
Professor Richard Stephenson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience), presented the cheque to Bridget Woodard, South West Regional Fundraising Manager for Teenage Cancer Trust.
He said: “The NSS offers students the opportunity to make their voices heard – and this year we wanted those voices to make a difference not just to the student experience of those who will follow in their footsteps, but also to a charity of their choice. I am therefore delighted to be able to present this cheque to a very worthy cause – and I’d also like to congratulate the Students’ Union on another wonderful year of fundraising.”
Accepting the cheque, Bridget Woodard said:
“Seven young people are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK and over 200 a year live right here in the South West. The work of Teenage Cancer Trust ensures every young person with cancer has access to the very best care and professional support, no matter where they live.
“We rely on fundraising in order to do our vital work and need to raise £1,000 a day, every day in the South West. We’re very grateful for this generous donation from the University, which will help us to ensure that more young people have a better chance of a positive outcome from cancer.”
Teenage Cancer Trust is one of a number of charities that UPSU has supported, and in the past year alone, the union has raised around £250,000 for good causes.
UPSU President Sarah Bowman said:
"It’s amazing to see so many students giving their feedback to the University and getting their voices heard, whilst at the same time supporting a very worthy cause that is close to their hearts."