Students raise thousands in support of the Hope Centre

A team of three University of Northampton Events Management students have inspired local people to walk, run or cycle a mile a day at the start of April and raised nearly £4,000 in support of a local charity, The Hope Centre.

The students, Dayo Ajayi, Ruth Andarge and Courtney Harvey, who are all in the third year of the BA (Hons) Event Management course, were responsible for the promotion, organisation, and planning of the event, ‘A Mile a Day for Hope’, which forms part of their final year project – equivalent to a dissertation.

Student, Courtney Harvey said: “We’re delighted to have been able to plan and run this virtual fundraising event for the Hope Centre. It has been great to put our academic knowledge of planning, organisation, and events management into practice. Running the ‘Mile a Day for Hope’ event will be a wonderful addition to our CVs, as we start to apply for jobs. As well as being a wonderful way to support a local charity who work with some of the most vulnerable people in the town.”

The Hope Centre supports hundreds of people living in poverty every day, providing them with food, support through their HandUp service for the homeless and training and advice through the Learng4Living program along with volunteering and employment through their social enterprise. The money raised through this fundraising walking challenge will be a lifeline to the increasing number of people Hope are helping each week.

Claire Leer, Senior Lecturer in Events Management & Tourism at the University of Northampton, said: “We pride ourselves on giving our students opportunities to gain practical events management experience throughout their studies, supporting them to put into practice what they have learnt during their studies.

“The final year events management project is equivalent to a traditional dissertation and is a great showcase of their skills, and it’s a great thing to add to their CV as they begin to apply for jobs. Through the course, we have close links with local charities, and these final year projects, are our way of supporting their important work. The money raised by this event will be a wonderful contribution to the Hope Centres work.”

Louise Danielczuk, Fundraising Manager at the Hope Centre said: “Hope are delighted to once again be working with the Final Year Events students. This year has been particularly tough for them having to develop an event which fits with the ever changing restrictions we are living with, but they have done an incredible job and we are very grateful for their hard work.

“The funds they have raised will make such a difference to so many lives across Northampton and we want to say thank you to all who have organised and taken part in this fabulous event.”