I’m fundraising by running the London Marathon, not because I’ve suffered, but because I’ve been lucky and I want to give back.

This year, my friends and colleagues across the University of Worcester have been raising money for our student scholarship and hardship funds, and I’d like to add to this.

Back when I was a student at the University of Worcester, I was blessed. I was blessed with a mum and dad who let me live at home rent free (Thank you, mum and dad!). I was blessed with a boss who gave me time off when assignments started to build up or when I got a placement opportunity. (Thank you Jon!)

I was able to complete my studies, focussing on my academic work and not worrying about the car breaking down, the washing machine packing up, or anything else that life can throw at you.

That led to me handing in my dissertation on a Friday and starting what would turn into a ten-year career with the BBC the following Monday; I faced a lot of obstacles during my time at university but not one of them was a serious financial problem.

However.

For some students at universities, an unexpected bill can mean missing a lecture to take a work shift. Buying school uniforms for the kids can mean you’re so stressed because of finances that you can’t focus when you’re on placement.

A rise in rent or mortgage costs because of spiralling interest rates could mean you say ‘I just can’t do this anymore’ and must stop studying part way through your course.

This is why the University of Worcester’s Scholarships and Hardship Fund is so important. It can mean the difference between us, as a society, getting a fantastic nurse or teacher, or not.

It could also mean that the unexpected costs which can come with a disability or a caring responsibility can be alleviated as well.

If we don’t help Occupational Therapy students make it through study and onto the wards, who would have helped my son when he needed them?

If we don’t make sure a trainee teacher isn’t wiped out by a mortgage increase and has to return to fulltime work elsewhere, who’ll teach our children?

And if one trainee nurse has to stop training and return to full time work because of the cost of living crisis, that’s one less nurse to work in our hospitals, at a time when we really don’t have a single nurse to spare.

The University of Worcester is a vibrant place, full of smiles, laughter, learning and life changing experiences… but like all universities, it’s a microcosm of society, and the stresses and pressures that affect us all impact people here too.

Every pound you give helps a student stay on their course, stay focussed, stay hopeful, and go on to make that contribution to society.

Thank you