"1 in 3 students consider dropping out before completing their studies – 1 in 6 actually do¹’. These figures are for a number of reasons, ranging from severe financial hardship, (87% experience financial difficulties, with UK student debt reaching nearly £5 billion²,) to lack of essential support in times of personal crisis. Many either never get to college or University, or when they do, they cannot remain there. This is often preventable."
¹HEFCE statistics October 2000
² Barclays Bank Poll July 2001

UNIAID – The ‘Event First’

UNIAID is launching this year with a series of events, featuring a world record attempt for the longest continuous Club DJ relay party.

UK students will be dancing through an entire week to some of dance music's biggest names from Friday 26 October to Friday 2 November 2001.

Headline DJs, a major club brand and radio station are set to support UNIAID, with the whole record attempt kicking off and finishing with high profile parties.
(Details to be announced shortly)

Universities & Colleges will be able to participate by taking a slot during the record breaking attempt, with more than 50,000 students taking part around the country.

UNIAID – Your choice

If joining in the record attempt is not suitable for your Union, why not organise your own event? There are many institutions who are currently planning their unique UNIAID balls and themed nights, all of which will benefit from UNIAID support.

UNIAID has been set up to offer you the flexibility and to make sure that every Union and student has the opportunity to take part. Each year UNIAID events will take place to raise funds and build on the good work started through this year’s fundraising events. The more your Union becomes involved in UNIAID, the more money your Union will have to invest in your student support services.

Alongside these campus and student focused activities, UNIAID will also be appealing to the alumni and business communities for support through additional sponsored events, with proceeds going to the UNIAID Foundation.

UNIAID - raising money for essential ‘student support’ projects

Traditional perceptions of student life involving ‘round the clock’ drinking and partying, are finding no relevance in today’s society. Rapidly rising instances of debt, drug and alcohol addiction, depression, suicide and stress related illnesses amongst students are widely documented. In recognition of these worrying trends both government agencies and academic bodies are currently conducting extensive research into this, up until now, much misunderstood and marginalised problem.
 
Every student relies, at some time or other, on essential ‘night-support’ services run on and off campus. These services provide critical support to students at the most vulnerable of times.

“We hear and see reports everyday about the increased challenges the students of today face. I am proud to be a supporter of UNIAID™ as an innovative, grass roots approach to helping make higher and further education a successful life experience.”
Graham Norton, TV Presenter, July 2001

These projects and many like them make a real difference to student lives but exist on minimal funding.
 
UNIAID in this inaugural year, will raise essential funds in support of these ‘night-support’ projects making a measurable and tangible difference.

UNIAID – The ‘bigger picture’

UNIAID addresses a much bigger picture. It is an initiative that supports and promotes the accessibility and sustainability of Higher & Further Education for all. UNIAID will generate significant funds to assist existing initiatives and to develop and drive new initiatives, in this first year and for the future.

UNIAID will unite students in a common and very personal cause and make a major impact on the student community.

UNIAID launches in Europe and the USA are scheduled for 2002 and beyond.

“When I was a student, I used to think I worked best at night. Doesn't everyone? But all that meant was that there were a whole lot of other hours in the day when I needed some kind of support. And all that means is that UNIAID is an idea which has been a long time coming. Help UNIAID now and some day soon UNIAID will help you.”

Anita Roddick, Founder & Co-Chair, The Body Shop, August 2001

UNIAID Finance

Firstly, there is no registration fee! Unions will be responsible for covering the set up costs of their chosen event (i.e. staff and security) and will be required to include an additional figure on to the ticket price, to go towards their chosen ‘student support’ projects. Unions will also be able to create further fundraising opportunities within their events, by setting competitions and challenges.

At the national level, UNIAID will be building partnerships and involving alumni and business in further fundraising events. All proceeds from these events will go into the UNIAID Foundation.

UNIAID has been developed over the past 2 years by event creation company ICE Management. Alongside recognising the need for some direct action to raise much needed funds for students, ICE is also keen to illustrate it’s core strength of creating and building successful national events.

UNIAID Foundation

To provide a national platform for the fundraising efforts of students and Unions across the country, as well as all national events, a UNIAID Foundation is being set up.

This charitable Foundation will be administered by a board, made up of members across the academic, student and business community. The board will invite and consider applications from all sections of the student community (either Unions, associations or individuals), for funds to invest in current student support services, or proposals for new initiatives and projects.

UNIAID – Your Support

Working with the NUS, UNIAID aims to offer all those taking part as much or as little support they need.

You can expect UNIAID to deliver:

DJ Relay Record Attempt