My name is Lucy Kendall, I am 19 years old and currently studying Criminology at Nottingham Trent University.

I've recently been selected to be part of the Great Britain Women’s University Team who are taking part in the World Winter Games in Almaty, Kazakhstan where I will be representing not only Nottingham Trent University, but BUCS and Great Britain.

At the age of 13, I suddenly became deaf in my right ear and this is going to be a lifelong problem for me.
At the age of 15, I started to develop numbing symptoms under my right arm which then spread down my arm, into my fingers, down the right side of my body & then into my leg.
At the age of 16, I was diagnosed with a Chiari Malformation & was told that I needed to have brain surgery in order to prevent this from getting any worse.
After being told that I would not be able to play ice hockey again and taking a year out. I finally regained my confidence and fitness and am now back to playing full contact boys ice hockey and international level games.

These games are seen as the University Winter Olympics that only happen every 4 years, many different sports compete. Although this is an amazing opportunity for someone like myself after having many barriers put in front of me with regards to my illnesses, and BUCS help to fund the team, there is still a large cost that has to be paid by each player.
I have been informed by my manager that most Universities help their students fund their share and I was hoping that Nottingham Trent University would help support me but it seems as though they are not interested.
I have been lucky enough to receive some funding from Solutions for Accounting who have kindly offered to fund £250 towards the contribution to travel to Kazakstan.

I am highly upset with the treatment and support that I have received from my university. That's why this page has been set up to show how important this is to me and the development of ice hockey within the nation.