The fundraising achievements of Aberdeen students with a passion for adventure have been honoured by a leading international development charity.
Childreach International Chief Executive Firoz Patel and Student Fundraising Manager Jezebel Horsell visited the University to meet Principal Professor Sir Ian Diamond and final year law and accountancy student Alex Houston who is the University’s Childreach International Society President.
This summer, 97 students from the University of Aberdeen will take part in challenge events and a Big Build, to help raise money for Childreach International. Along the way they will visit a sustainable grass roots project that they have helped fund.
Expeditions this summer include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, an Everest Base Camp trek, trekking Machu Picchu, taking part in the Vietnam to Cambodia Bike Ride and scaling the Great Wall of China – all for charity.
So far this year, the team has already raised over £68,000 and are aiming to raise a staggering grand total of £185,000.
This is not the first time that the University has worked with Childreach International, the partnership has been in existence for four years, raising a massive £675,000 to date – the second highest of any UK university.
Professor Sir Ian Diamond paid tribute to the University’s students, saying: “These will be fantastic adventures for our students which will stay with them all their lives – along with all the skills and resourcefulness and new friends they will gain along the way.
"I think it is wonderful that so many are taking part. In helping the beneficiaries of this charity they are also helping themselves to gain attributes that will add further value to their student experience at Aberdeen and help develop them into future leaders in whatever career they choose.”
Firoz Patel, CEO of Childreach International, said: “We are truly grateful and humbled by the continuous support and dedication of the University of Aberdeen's students. Their hard work and commitment is helping improve the lives of thousands of children in the developing world, providing them with access to education and healthcare.”
Alex Houston, the University’s student coordinator, added: “During my time with Childreach I have seen it go from strength to strength. We have developed incredibly over the past four years in Aberdeen and now have a strong foundation for the start of something huge. This year alone we're set to raise over £200,000 for Childreach International and it is only with the help and support from students in Aberdeen that we're able to do this.
"Thank you to all of our volunteers, both past and present, for raising the amazing figure of £675,982 for a great cause."
To find out more about Childreach International’s award winning Challenge Events please visit: www.childreach.org.uk.