Brunel has been awarded Childreach International's 'Highly Engaged' award following a year in which the international development charity has demonstrated an increasingly strong relationship with the University.
The accolade, presented at the charity's Winter Awards celebrating the work of higher education institutions in 2012, recognised the quality of Brunel's engagement and communication with Childreach Student Fundraising Manager Michael Kelly, as well as reflecting the University's fundraising efforts over the last year. The student team who climbed Kilimanjaro in 2012 raised the fourth highest amount of any team in the country, donating a total of £67,619.43 to Childreach.
This year, Brunel students are taking part in challenge trips to again climb Kilimanjaro and to cycle 520km across Vietnam and Cambodia. The trips, led by Cassie Baugh from the Union of Brunel Students RAG (Raise and Give) Committee and Vice-President for Student Activities Gary O’Brien, are already well subscribed, with places still open until the end of January. Both trips are aimed primarily at Brunel students, but staff and external members are also very welcome to join.
The Awards ceremony saw double success for Brunel, as Gary, who has recently completed a work placement with the charity, also won the Big Award for Event Planning. This Dragon’s Den style competition saw Childreach interns pitch to the charity’s senior management team on a new project that would raise a five figure sum. The logistics of Gary's winning pitch are now being investigated with a view to putting the project into action.
Brunel's fundraisers have helped transform the lives of many children and communities in countries such as Tanzania, and this year their work will further improve children's access to learning and give families the opportunity to gain better livelihoods and living conditions. The charity are also focusing on lowering infant and mother mortality rates at birth and addressing living conditions at the very early stages of life in Nepal.