It’s been hard to miss the social media coverage of the University’s recent fundraising appeal, led by the Development and Alumni Relations Office. The appeal was fronted by esteemed Ulster University researcher Professor Tony Bjourson, with the aim of raising £100k over four days to purchase equipment that would enable increased coronavirus testing. The response was unprecedented, with the target reached after just two days, then exceeded to reach over £120k including gift aid. The testing equipment and supplies have now arrived at the world-class research facility (NI Centre for Stratified Medicine) at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry and will mean that testing capacity will increase tenfold, initially testing NHS staff, Social Care and Care Home staff, followed by patients and the public.
Although initially only a four-day appeal, the response to the campaign was so strong that Professor Bjourson and his team decided to continue their fundraising efforts and raise as much as possible to help with the testing challenges. For full information on the campaign and to make a donation, please visit the COVID-19 Appeal site.
We are immensely grateful to all the graduates, supporters and staff who have and continue to give personally and help us share the appeal. A special acknowledgement must go to Ulster graduate and Health and Social Care Lecturer at Northern Regional College, Jacqui McAllister. Despite still working full time Monday to Friday, Jacqui has signed up to work as a healthcare assistant at weekends in Antrim Area Hospital’s COVID ward and she has pledged to donate all of the wages she earns from that work to the University’s COVID-19 appeal. We are constantly inspired by our graduates and without their generosity and commitment to the University, we would be unable to continue the great work in helping local communities during the current pandemic, as well as our students throughout the academic year.