2008/2009 Overview
Overview of 2008/2009
The Student Ambassador scheme started in January 2009 and by the end of the university year 42 ambassadors had helped Right To Play engage 57 Universities to raise money for our projects. It was a fantastic 7 months and we would like to share some of our many successes from the time with you.
Right To Play has made some very valuable partnerships in a short space of time. Foremost in these is our relationship with BUCS (British University & College Sport). As their official charity we have great access to students and universities and their sporting activities. The relationship is rested upon our mutual recognition of sport as fantastic vehicle for improving people’s lives and is a key reason behind the success of our University Programme.
The largest event of the year was a mammoth cycle ride from Edinburgh to London. Over 100 cyclists, predominantly University students and staff, battled their way through rain and up hills, culminating in a triumphant ending along the Mall.
The Ambassador programme is a driving force behind many of our national events. The Right To Play Day on March 25th was almost solely built around Universities and students. Various events were organised for this day such as 21 students who collectively swam the length of the channel in less than 40 minutes in the Newcastle swimming baths. Individuals were encouraged to text a special phone number to donate £1 across the country and in total Right To Play Day raised in the region of £10,000. Student Ambassadors take part in and others to join them in our events, such as the Royal Parks Half Marathon.
A number of Universities gave us a tremendous amount of support, perhaps foremost amongst these was the University of Warwick who raised over £10,000 through a number of events. One World Week, the world’s largest student festival incorporated Right To Play into their activities. The Great Warwick Jump promoted us as one of their preferred charities and raised £4000. Warwick student Leo Matlock was the winner of the inaugural Red Ball Award for successes as a Student Ambassador, read more about the award, his accomplishments and many of the other Warwick events here.
Right To Play believes in the principles of sport and play in their work, both in their projects and fundraising. Students are of course very receptive to the fun aspect of these concepts and this is evident in many of our ambassador’s work. Music gigs, fun runs, social events and sports days were organised at Brighton University, largely thanks to Jordan Hallpike who won a community fundraising award for his work, read more about this here. The cheerleaders of Hertfordshire University spontaneously made human pyramids and performed their routines. Ambassador Becky White event plastered the Right To Play logo over her car. The University of Central Lancashire has incorporated Right To Play and our values into their ‘Sport International Aid and Development’ module.
Right To Play would like to all of our Ambassadors, our partners and everyone who attended an event or donated money.
