Students and staff at Oxford Brookes University hosted a charity fundraising day to support Oxfordshire Mind on Tuesday 25 April.
Students on the Primary Education course, who are based at the University’s Harcourt Hill Campus, asked people to dress up as their alter-egos and donate a suggested £2 each to raise money for the local branch of the national mental health charity.
Speaking about why the students chose to raise money for Oxfordshire Mind, third-year student Beth Deakin said: “Although several students have personal reasons to support this very worthy cause, we all recognise that mental health can affect anyone and at any time of their lives.
“We’re asking people to dress up their alter ego for the day, which might be the personality within you, a character you aspire to be or even the pop-star or super-hero you thought you would always grow up to be.”
Last year, Senior Lecturer in Primary Science Mike Dennis held a dressing up day to raise money for Sobell House. He raised over £1500 on the day and has since decided to hold an annual dressing up day to fundraise for a chosen charity.
Mike said: “This year, our BA Primary Education students have decided they want to support Oxfordshire Mind, a charity that exists to make sure that anyone with a mental health issue has somewhere to turn for advice and support, as well as helping those who are supporting loved ones through the battle.”
Dan Knowles, Oxfordshire Mind CEO, has praised this fun and creative fundraising event saying “We are so grateful for the money raised by Mike and his students at Oxford Brookes. Dressing up as alter egos is an inspired idea. Their contribution will provide help to some of the most vulnerable people in our society – and hopefully they will have some fun too!”
To date Oxford Brookes Primary Education have raised a fantastic £906.64!