The COVID-19
Student Support Fund
Since last summer, the generosity of alumni, Fellows and friends of Queens' has raised more than £220,000 to support Queens' students through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last night, the President, Head of Welfare, Development Director, Senior Tutor and Financial Tutor of Queens', as well as a current student, had the opportunity to speak with and thank some of the donors to this important Fund and pass on messages from students who are receiving support. The Fund remains open and we are most grateful for all donations; we have already received renewed gifts following this call.
"Being a single parent for two young children no longer in normal school, has been the biggest impediment to my work during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was very difficult and stressful to manage home-schooling and do my own work, especially with only one working computer. I contacted my tutor seeking help and the following day I received a new laptop.
This was not the first time they were there for me; they helped me last year by providing me with better internet connection and delivering a new studying chair, to meet my long hours working requirement.
We are all going through stressful times, but I am lucky enough to be part of the Queens' College family."
"I received financial support for accommodation and living costs as I am technically financially independent but not eligible for any bursaries. As my internship last year was cancelled due to COVID, I have much less than I had anticipated to support myself. The Student Support Fund has lifted this financial stress and has allowed me to better concentrate on my studies without having to worry about basic necessities."
Among the alumni on the call was Robin Millar CBE (1970), who offered this moving story of his own time at Queens':
"I came up with a disability and in need of financial support. Queens' motto that money or circumstances will never be a barrier to a student with potential was in place for me even then. I was supported financially and with support for my disability. This is why I choose to support Queens' all this time later."
The current lockdown has put many students under increased or renewed financial pressure for the long term. COVID-19 Student Support now needs new funds to support, among other things, PhD students who have run out of maintenance grants. Any and all donations would be most gratefully received. Please see our website for more information.
Areas the Fund supports include:
- Expert treatment to support mental and physical welfare, through The Mairi Hurrell Fund;
- Assistance with accommodation and living costs;
- Enhanced bursaries: Queens' currently supports a third of our undergraduates and we expect demand to rise;
- Provision for remote learning, including IT equipment and software; plus online subscriptions and books
- Assistance with increased travel costs.
Additionally, any donations made from new donors to the College or those whose last gift was made before 31st July 2018 may be eligible to have their impact doubled through the Harding Challenge.
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