2024 is the 200th anniversary of the founding of The Manchester Metropolitan University. It feels like an event that is worthy of a 200km bike ride around Manchester - especially if I'm raising funds for the University's First Generation Scholarship Programme. In my day, a university education was free and I was even given a grant to cover my living expenses. Today students can struggle with the cost of funding their studies. I have been very moved by the stories of students who have been helped by this programme to be the first in their family to go to university. It is truly life changing. Watch this video to see what I mean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO7wgJGC0J4

I am also please that some of my colleagues from Manchester Met will be joining me on this ride and directing their sponsorship onto this page (thank you Chris Woolley and Ben Peirson-Smith)

Please give until it hurts! :)

If you want to find out more general information about the First Generation Programme please take a look here https://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/first-in-your-family-to-university