Santander Universities donates funds to purchase thank you gift to students working on Covid-19 frontline
Santander Universities has teamed up with Edinburgh Napier University and Queen Margaret University (QMU) to say thank you to students supporting the NHS in the fight against Covid-19.
A total of £50,000 has been allocated by Santander to provide gifts to 1,400 students across both universities.
Edinburgh Napier has linked up with Edinburgh-based sushi company Minato Sushi to offer its own eligible School of Health and Social Care students a £35 voucher for the business as a thank you for their efforts as part of the country’s Covid-19 response.
Minato Sushi was founded by Jennifer Kerr and Tom Cuddy – both Edinburgh Napier alumni. The local business continues to receive support from the University’s innovation and enterprise hub, Bright Red Triangle.
QMU has offered their Nursing and Allied Health Professions students on the frontline a choice of one of two luxury food hampers – a 'pamper hamper' or breakfast hamper - to thank them for their hard work in battling the pandemic. The gifts have been provided by Artisan Larder Scotland, founded by QMU graduate David McVey.
Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, said: “Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, our nursing and midwifery students have demonstrated outstanding levels of professionalism during what has been an incredibly challenging – and often uncertain – time for all.
“Thanks to the generous continued support from Santander Universities, we’re delighted to be able to show our gratitude to nearly 900 students with this token of appreciation. I am pleased to be able to support one of our alumni businesses in the process. Our nursing and midwifery students have proved themselves to be wonderful ambassadors for the University and the health professions; on behalf of the whole university community, I thank them most sincerely.”
Sir Paul Grice, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Queen Margaret University, said: "We are incredibly proud of all of our students from the School of Health Sciences, especially those who are playing their part in the NHS's fight against COVID-19. Thanks to the continuous generosity and support of Santander Universities, we have been able to not only provide this thank you gift for hundreds of our hard-working health students, but also support one of our graduate businesses in the process. I hope the students enjoy the gift – they are doing fantastic work!"
Minato Sushi was founded by Jennifer Kerr after being frustrated at finding a lack of affordable, fresh sushi within Edinburgh after returning from a year abroad in Australia. More details on the delivery service can be found here.
Artisan Larder Scotland was born out of the demand to have the local products that are used in Edinburgh's Ostara café made available to take home. Visit here for further information.