Thanks to generous support from the University of Westminster’s alumni community, the annual telephone campaign which was fundraising for the COVID-19 Response Fund raised a staggering £109,197.
The three-week campaign, which took place from 7 to 29 November, involved 40 Westminster students contacting over 1,000 former students to hear about alumni experiences and raise money for the University’s COVID-19 Response Fund. The campaign provided students with the opportunity to speak to alumni about their time at Westminster and gain valuable career advice and support.
The campaign, which is run by the University’s Development team, raised money for the COVID-19 Response Fund which aims to support students suffering financial hardship caused by the pandemic. The student callers discussed the effects the pandemic has had on those who have lost their part-time jobs in retail and hospitality and raised awareness of the University’s COVID-19 Response Fund, which has been a lifeline for many vulnerable students, providing bursaries towards living expenses.
Westminster alumni showed great consideration for the current situation and generously donated to support those students who are currently struggling financially. The University of Westminster was amongst the first in the UK to create a supportive fund for its students in response to the pandemic and its negative financial effects.
Jordan Scammell, Head of Development and Fundraising at the University of Westminster, said: “It has been wonderful to see so many of our alumni community come together to make a real difference to our students this year. Many of our alumni appreciate that our students are in a very different position to the one they were in as students. The COVID-19 Response Fund really struck a chord when reminiscing about their time at University and imagining the challenges today. On behalf of all our students, I’d like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who supported this year.”
Student caller Jessica Rayner, studying on the Museums, Galleries and Contemporary Culture MA course, said: “A huge thank you to those of you who have been able to donate at this time. I’ve been overwhelmed, personally, by the response, the generosity and the kindness.”
Talking about the COVID-19 Response Fund, an anonymous alumnus who donated said: " Thank you for starting it off in the first place. I think the work that you are all doing is for a fantastic cause and should hopefully help our students continue to progress further.”
Regular Giving and Legacy Officer Amar Kataora added: “Being a part of such a successful campaign at a time like this is fantastic. To see how our current students pulled together and raised a staggering amount to support their peers is an inspiration. As an alumnus myself, to see so many fellow alumni give with such generosity and compassion makes me proud to be one of them."
The University is grateful to the Quintin Hogg Trust for their continuous support and matched funding offer, helping the University to create a transformative fund for the benefit of Westminster students.
Find out more about The COVID-19 Response Fund.
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