University Launches Alumni Hardship Fund Appeal

St Mary’s University, Twickenham recently launched its Alumni Hardship Fund at an alumni dinner and film screening event. The Alumni Hardship Fund, providing essential support for students in need, will raise money to aid students struggling to meet the financial costs of studying, including those overwhelmed by debt and those raising their own families. The fund, financed by donations made by St Mary’s alumni, aims to deter students from giving up their studies due to the distraction of money worries. The fund has already helped two students, both with young families, to continue with their studies when faced with the prospect of having to give up their education. Former students, along with current and former staff attended the launch; a dinner served in the Waldegrave Suite, followed by a film screening of The Usual Suspects, starring late alumnus Pete Postlethwaite. All proceeds from ticket sales went towards the Alumni Hardship Fund. Sarah Hood, Alumni Relations and Development Manager at St Mary’s, said, “With so many students from low income backgrounds studying at St Mary’s, this new fund will allow us to help them in their times of need, not only showing them they are not on their own, but also giving them the peace of mind they need to complete their studies and achieve their goals.” The Alumni Hardship Fund is another of the activities carried out by the Alumni Relations Office, which also keeps former students in touch with one another. As well as holding events, the Alumni Relations Office also produces the Simmarian, an online newsletter for St Mary’s former students and staff. Past students are also eligible to use facilities, such as Sport St Mary’s and venue hire, at a discounted cost. St Mary’s also offers a number of scholarships to assist students with tuition fees. These include the: • Academic Excellence Scholarships • Care Leavers’ Scholarships • Catholic School Scholarships • Elite Sports Scholarships • Mo Farah Sports Foundation • St Mary’s Bursary Scheme To find out more about the Alumni Hardship Fund and the students it has helped please visit the website.