News

Cycling for scholars

Published 21 September 2011

Staff, students, graduates and friends from the University of Brighton completed a 40 mile bike ride to fund scholarships for students from Southern Africa.

Cyclists at the finish outside the University of Brighton campus in Hastings

The Southern African Scholarship Fund aims to help the development of South Africa and its neighbouring countries by funding courses that directly benefit the wider community when they return home. Donations to the fund support trainee teachers, engineers, doctors and nurses from South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique or Angola.

So far £2,842 has been raised and Santander Universities, the higher education funding branch of Santander Bank plc, have also agreed to match any money raised to the value of £3,000 to further support the scholarship fund.

The 34 participants in the cycle ride between Brighton and Hastings included Product Design graduate Andrew Marshall, who stole the limelight by finishing in a time of 2 hours and 45 minutes.

2011 scholar Webby Phiri from Lusaka, Zambia said: "This fund transforms lives and supports better education and a brighter future for everyone. I am so glad and thankful I went to the University of Brighton."

You can keep track of fundraising progress and make a donation.

The ride wouldn't have gone so smoothly without the support of many volunteers, from graduates to staff members, support from The Big Lemon, Papa John's Pizza (01273 60 70 80), Gary Sudds at Revolve Bicycles and Ian Hollidge, Caroline Little and others at the Bexhill Wheelers cycling group.

You can view photos from the day on the Brighton alumni Facebook page.

You can also find out more about Santander Universities.