**Although the 10k is over - I did it! 1 hour 16 minutes, not the best time, but I'm blaming the sun - this page is still open for donations until early June. Let's see if we can get to £800 before the appeal ends!**

The 10,000 Lives appeal believes that every student, regardless of their circumstances, should have the chance to study and go on to a have successful career.

I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for support the University of Birmingham gave me when I was a student there between 2011-2014. Frequent remarks from other students included, 'urgh, you're from the north?! People from the north sound stupid and nobody will ever take you seriously'. My schooling never prepared me for higher education as it did my peers, as my school never really presented University as an option. But in college, I realised I had an insatiable passion to learn.

I was incredibly lucky to be awarded a maintenance grant, scholarship, mentoring scheme and a part-time internship in events during my time at the University. These experiences helped me get a foot in the door in the fantastic city of Birmingham after graduation. Now, I am fortunate enough to have a job at the University marketing different undergraduate programmes, and I fill with pride each time I talk to a parent or applicant about the support and opportunities available in this renowned institution. I often get emails and calls from people worried about the costs of Higher Education, and whether the opportunities available are really for them - and they are. However, with your help, we can help raise aspirations and open doors for more young minds, not from the most advantaged backgrounds, who really want to achieve.

- £100 could provide a career-boosting internship
- £1,000 could provide an 'Access to Birmingham' bursary, covering some of the costs of a student's first year of University, including travel and textbooks.

 Together, we can raise aspirations in 11-18 year olds, develop confident, employable students and support our young alumni as they start their post-University life. To find out more about the 10,000 Lives campaign, you can visit the dedicated webpage via https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/alumni/Giving/10000-Lives.aspx.

Many Thanks for reading, and if you are compelled to give a little something, my heartfelt thanks goes out to you and you'll get a cheeky shout-out on my blog ;)

Best Wishes,

Danii