Edinburgh University Students' Association
Edinburgh University Students' Association
EUSA, led by President Eleri Connick, hosted an end of Semester event to raise funds for MND research.
Method of fundraising
Event - We Are Edinburgh: End of Semester Takeover of McEwan HallWhy did you decide to fundraise?
As this year’s Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) President, I want to encourage our Students’ Association and University to consider the mantra ‘We are Edinburgh’ in everything they do.
‘We Are Edinburgh’ says ‘we are a community who is hopeful; we tackle stigma, we break world records! We are more than ‘just’ students - We Are Edinburgh’. I believe we should do everything care and pride and promote and encourage this this through We Are Edinburgh.
Fundraising in aid of the Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research through our concert was ideal for us, as it completely epitomised We Are Edinburgh.
In October, following a student led motion to our Student Council; George Square Lecture Theatre was renamed to the ‘Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre’ in loving memory of former sabbatical officer Gordon Aikman who raised £500,000 to further MND research. Sadly, Gordon died aged just 31 years old, due to this incredibly cruel illness.
Following the opening of the Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre, our Vice President Georgie and I visited the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic and Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research. I remember being blown away, and incredibly inspired by the visit and the dedication and passion of the research staff. I truly have never left somewhere feeling so hopeful.
It therefore made perfect sense for us to fundraise in aid of the incredible Euan MacDonald Centre. We are incredibly proud of our Post Graduate Research students, and all of the Edinburgh University staff who are working so hard to find a cure for MND.
‘We Are Edinburgh’ says ‘we are a community who is hopeful; we tackle stigma, we break world records! We are more than ‘just’ students - We Are Edinburgh’. I believe we should do everything care and pride and promote and encourage this this through We Are Edinburgh.
Fundraising in aid of the Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research through our concert was ideal for us, as it completely epitomised We Are Edinburgh.
In October, following a student led motion to our Student Council; George Square Lecture Theatre was renamed to the ‘Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre’ in loving memory of former sabbatical officer Gordon Aikman who raised £500,000 to further MND research. Sadly, Gordon died aged just 31 years old, due to this incredibly cruel illness.
Following the opening of the Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre, our Vice President Georgie and I visited the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic and Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research. I remember being blown away, and incredibly inspired by the visit and the dedication and passion of the research staff. I truly have never left somewhere feeling so hopeful.
It therefore made perfect sense for us to fundraise in aid of the incredible Euan MacDonald Centre. We are incredibly proud of our Post Graduate Research students, and all of the Edinburgh University staff who are working so hard to find a cure for MND.
How did you raise the money?
The ‘We Are Edinburgh: End of Semester Takeover of McEwan Hall’ - which starred Edinburgh University Jazz Orchestra and Big Cheese - was the first ever end of semester social.
It was open to all members of our fantastic University community and was an opportunity for everyone to celebrate what has been an incredible year. We can quite honestly say that the University of Edinburgh might have been influencing since 1582, but it was on Friday 5th April 2019 it truly came alive with 1039 members of our University coming together to celebrate, enjoy the music and dance the night away!
It was open to all members of our fantastic University community and was an opportunity for everyone to celebrate what has been an incredible year. We can quite honestly say that the University of Edinburgh might have been influencing since 1582, but it was on Friday 5th April 2019 it truly came alive with 1039 members of our University coming together to celebrate, enjoy the music and dance the night away!
Fundraising wisdom:
Even though you’ll plan, plan, plan, there’ll always be last minute things that come up which you don’t expect. Don’t feel you unprepared or demoralised. You’ve done great and your event will be amazing – these things always happen – and then once you’ve seen your fundraiser come to fruition you’ll feel so incredibly proud!
