We are fundraising for the Ignite Programme because we have seen first hand how this helps and supports students.

Michael’s story-

I’ve been at the university for 10 years, and have seen so many talented students – this is of course the next generation of doctors, nurses, scientists and indeed pretty much every part of the future taxpaying workforce! Some of these students have already faced huge challenges to get to university in the first place.

I have had the real pleasure of working directly with some of them, one example being Julia (Jules) Taylor, a medical student who has herself benefited from the Ignite Fund and has ensured it’s been money well spent. She’s been incredibly proactive with finding opportunities but also making sure that other students will benefit from the openings she has created – the main link with me is the incredible outreach programme she set up that supports students going to Ghana each year.

On a personal level, a range of physical and mental health conditions left me essentially massively unfit, and I started on some vague self-created version of a couch to 5km programme. This 10km race is the next stepping stone in running and staying fit, it’s given me a new lease of life, and hopefully will help me in my life’s ambition of getting old enough to see how my children make their way through life 😊

Any donation, no matter how small, will be hugely appreciated by all of us.

Clare’s Story

I ran the ABP Southampton Marathon 10k for the Ignite programme in 2024 and am excited at the opportunity to do this again in 2025. Especially in the big anniversary year for the race.

I’ve been at the University for just over 11 years and in that time have dealt with students from a wide range of backgrounds. Being able to take students on our Spark Ghana trip that have benefited from the Ignite programme (including our amazing Jules) really gave me the motivation to help raise funds. The Ignite fund can help students a great deal and is an invaluable resource for them here at the University.

As someone who started running to help a range of physical issues I learnt it is also a very good way to blow off some mental cobwebs! I’m not the fastest out there but the running community is a supportive one which makes it all worthwhile, as does the the café stops Ailsa and I make at the end of long runs 😊

Any donations you can make would be greatly appreciated and go a long way to help, look forward to seeing some of you out there cheering us on!

Ailsa's Story

Last year, I ran the ABP Southampton Marathon 10k in my first ever running race. I am very excited to run this year raising money for the Ignite programme.

I have been at the University for 2 years and alongside Clare and Michael, I have seen the difference the programme has made with students including our wonderful Jules in Ghana. Watching students have the opportunity for a life changing trip from Ignite has made it a programme I highly value.

I started running in November 2023 by innocently joining Clare on a small run in Southampton Common and it was not long before I found myself signed up for a 10k the following April. Since then, running has become something I look forward to and that hugely benefits both my mental and physical health (not forgetting the post run pastries).

Your support can make a meaningful difference. Every contribution, no matter the size will help make a difference.