A University of Worcester colleague has played 221 games of pool across more than 50 consecutive hours, as he raised hundreds of pounds for students facing financial hardship.
Ian Alley, Student Welfare Officer, started his pool-a-thon challenge at 10am on Thursday and potted his final ball after midday on Saturday.
Ian planned to stop at midday exactly, but a late surge of students coming to challenge him meant he stayed on until 12:35. Donations have already reached £655 and continue to climb.
Ian said: “It has been incredible. There have been people with me throughout the challenge. Students, staff members, people from the community and former students have been coming in to play pool against me and donate.”
Throughout the challenge, Ian kept track of his results on the ‘Alley-Tally’, recording 185 wins and just 36 losses.
He said he was humbled by the overwhelming support, with students and graduates alike turning out in large numbers and donating what they could to help fellow students.
“The standout moment was when a graduate, who no longer lives locally, came in to play me,” said Ian. “This former student had personally benefited from the hardship fund when they were studying here, and they heard about what I was doing and they came in to give back, play a game, and cheer me on.”
Ian added: “That’s why raising money for the hardship fund is so important, the difference it makes to people stays with them for a very long time.”
Ian is one of several colleagues at the University who have raised money for the Student Hardship Fund, leading to the University being shortlisted for the Outstanding Support for Students award in the prestigious Times Higher Education Awards.
In response to rising student hardship, the University launched a major campaign, placing student welfare and widening participation at its heart.
The campaign saw staff taking part in physical challenges including a 280km sponsored walk, a 24-hour Charity Challenge of endurance events and adaptive sport, and the London Marathon, alongside numerous other activities, such as bake and craft sales and car washes, to raise over £72,000 for the University’s students.
You can still donate to Ian’s fundraiser via his Justgiving page.
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