Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Thousands raised for disadvantaged students
The event, which ran from 10am-3pm at Headingley Carnegie Stadium on Saturday May 26 and was sponsored by Lloyds Bank, saw around 500 people turn out in the sunshine in support, while 80 of those hurtled down a zip wire to raise cash. Every penny will go towards the University's scholarship schemes and aspiration-raising work in local schools.
The Big Zip transported fundraisers at 30mph from the top of the Carnegie Stand onto the pitch below. The first to take the plunge was Leeds Rhinos' mascot Ronnie the Rhino.
Deputy Vice Chancellor, Paul Smith, who also took on the zip wire challenge, said: "It was an absolutely fantastic day and I'm delighted that so much money has been raised to support our students - it really will change the lives of many individuals who without our University's bursaries and scholarship schemes could not attend higher education.
"Leeds Metropolitan cannot thank those who took part in fundraising enough, for their time, effort and generosity. The Big Zip was a lot of fun and there was a wonderful family atmosphere throughout the event."
One of the University schemes to benefit from the sponsorship is the Shamirah Grant Memorial Bursary, which from September will see annual grants of £1,000 awarded to nominated first year arts-related degree students.
Shamirah was tragically killed in a road traffic accident near her home in Chapeltown last May. Her parents Jennifer and Gary Grant, who took on the zip wire challenge on Saturday, have also set up the Shamirah Grant Arts Foundation, approached Leeds Metropolitan to see if the University could help to keep their daughter's memory alive with the dedicated bursary scheme.
Other highlights included a climbing wall, free goodie bags from Samsung and a raffle where prizes included tickets to the Carnegie Cup Challenge final at Wembley.