Kind-hearted students win community prize

Adam Stanex (pictured left) and Daniel Idundun (right) have been given the John Spence Student Community Prize for 2016, earning them £100 each.
 
Psychology student Adam, who studies in Cambridge, was nominated for helping to run a series of events in the city to raise awareness of mental health issues. He took part in a sponsored sleep out in February for Emmaus, and worked with other students on The Rucksack Project last winter, making ‘kits’ made up of clothing, toiletries and other essentials which were given to the homeless.
 
Adam, 21, who hails from Conlig in Northern Ireland, also ran the Cambridge Half Marathon in March, raising £191 for Mind. He said: “It is overwhelming to win the John Spence Student Community Prize and it is really encouraging to see how much the university supports the students that want to make a difference in their local community.
 
“There is something special about getting out and helping others. University isn’t just an opportunity to gain an education, it is an amazing chance to better yourself and spend some free time helping those less fortunate. I would really encourage others to get out in their local community and volunteer.”
 
Daniel, 20, who is on an Engineering course in Chelmsford, runs the Bible Reading Club and has regularly volunteered on behalf of the local Sanctus Homeless Charity. He arranged for Easter eggs to be donated from Asda to the homeless and participated in food collections from Greggs and Pret A Manger on a weekly basis, ensuring up to 40 people have access to sandwiches and pastries for breakfast after a tough night sleeping on the city’s streets.
 
Daniel, originally from Streatham, also used his skills to create a video for the Sanctus website and Facebook page. He said: “It is a great honour to be selected for this award and that’s down to the brilliant people I have encountered in Chelmsford over the last three years.
 
“Never underestimate the power of generosity and giving up one’s time for others because it can change someone’s life, including your own.”
 
The prize is named after Anglia Ruskin Governor and honorary degree holder John Spence, who himself contributes to a variety of charitable causes in Chelmsford. It is designed to recognise outstanding voluntary contribution by individual students to help either another student in need of extra support, or the community life of Anglia Ruskin or its surrounding areas.

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For more press information please contact:
Jon Green on t: 01245 68 4717, e: jon.green@anglia.ac.uk
Jamie Forsyth on t: 01245 68 4716, e: jamie.forsyth@anglia.ac.uk
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