University fundraising drive to support projects
University of ReadingA University is running a fundraising campaign drive that will support vital projects.
The University of Reading, in its centenary year, is holding its second annual "giving day" on the 29 and 30 April.
The 36-hour fundraising drive will support two new centenary funds, the beyond 100 bursary and the outdoor learning garden.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, Professor Robert Van de Noort said: "Giving opens doors, it changes lives."
The beyond 100 bursary provides a £1,500 contribution to living costs for students, so they can focus on fully experiencing university life rather than worrying about their finances.
The outdoor learning garden is a new teaching and research space on Whiteknights campus dedicated to supporting learning connected to climate change, biodiversity, water systems, food production and environmental sustainability.
Last year's inaugural giving day raised more than £36,000 from 173 donors across 21 countries.
The university said those gifts have made a "tangible difference".
Funds raised helped to expand the neurobears programme for children and families run by the University's Centre for Autism.
It also funded two climate stripes scholarships for international meteorology students; and enabled six other students to complete paid internships with local charities and small businesses.
The funding also enabled the Henley Enterprise Lab to put on a free boot camp for entrepreneurs from the university and local community.
Van de Noort said: "It keeps world-class research moving forward in ways that benefit us all.
"It also creates new partnerships between donors and the people whose lives and work are transformed by their generosity."
"This Giving Day, as we mark one hundred years since our Royal Charter, we are reminded that every gift, of any size, starts a new page in our continuing story," he added.
