#GiveBack2UandDCU social media wellbeing challenge launched to raise funds for students

DCU Educational Trust is calling on DCU friends and alumni to take part in a new social media wellbeing challenge to raise funds for DCU students facing financial challenges and hardship due to the recent Covid-19 global pandemic. Former Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, former Dublin senior footballer, Bernard Brogan, and TodayFM presenter, Matt Cooper will be amongst the well-known faces rising to the #GiveBack2UandDCU challenge to show their support for DCU students from today.

The #GiveBack2UandDCU social media wellbeing challenge will see members of the DCU community take some time out of their day to look after their own wellbeing, while also helping to raise urgent funds for the DCU Covid-19 Student Emergency Fund.

DCU launched the Covid-19 Student Emergency Fund on 20th May in response to the challenges and financial hardship facing students due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, with requests for emergency financial assistance up 183% and Access students from low-income families struggling to make ends meet.

Speaking on the launch of the #GiveBack2UandDCU challenge, Jason Sherlock, Director of Development with DCU Educational Trust said: 

“We have had an incredible response from DCU friends and alumni, with €25,000 donated since we launched the fund two weeks ago. This has been matched by our supporters BT Ireland, bringing the total raised to €50,000 so far. We are facing an unprecedented level of student need though, and we are hoping the DCU community will get behind us once again to meet this need by taking part in #GiveBack2UandDCU from 2nd June.”

 

To take part, DCU friends and alumni need to follow three simple steps:

  • Post a picture of yourself taking time out of your day to do something you enjoy on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn with the hashtag #GiveBack2UandDCU. This could be anything from going for a walk or reading a book to having a bath or cooking your favourite meal.
  • Donate what you can to the DCU Covid-19 Student Emergency Fund at dcu.ie/covidappeal.
  • Nominate four DCU friends to do the same.

Those taking part in the challenge will be in good company, with many notable DCU alumni also getting behind #GiveBack2UandDCU including:

  • Enda Kenny, former Taoiseach
  • Bernard Brogan, former Dublin senior footballer
  • Matt Cooper, Today FM Presenter
  • Jenny Egan, Irish sprint canoeist
  • Diarmuid O’Connor, Mayo senior footballer
  • Dean Rock, Dublin senior footballer
  • Ciaran Kilkenny, Dublin senior footballer
  • Sarah Rowe, Mayo senior footballer

For more information on the DCU Covid-19 Student Emergency Fund, or to make a donation today, please go to www.dcu.ie/covidappeal