Public Relations students impress Welsh Government
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Vicky Khadoo, First Minister of Wales - Carwyn Jones and Life for African Mothers CEO - Angela Gorman
Students from the School’s International Public Relations Masters have received a glowing testimonial from the Welsh Government after supporting their staff-nominated overseas charity, Life for African Mothers (LAM).
Earlier this year representatives from the Welsh Government’s Internal Communications division invited Cardiff’s post-graduates to support the fund-raising activities of their 43 Charity Champion volunteers.
Last year the champions raised £21,000 which was shared between three charities. This year, with the students support, the champions are already ahead of target, and Life for African Mothers who provide medicines to treat eclampsia and post partum haemorrhage to maternity hospitals across sub-Saharan Africa will be given a substantial donation when the fund-raising year ends in December.
The students were given the challenge of developing proposals for fundraising activity that Life for African Mothers could adopt for the long-term and would leave a legacy for the future.
The team responded to the Welsh Government’s brief, and having carried out their own research, put forward a well considered presentation to the Head of Internal Communications and key members of the Charity Champion staff network.
The student team, led by Vicky Khadoo, proposed setting up a dedicated LAM fundraising week during the first week of July. Activities developed for the week included daily intranet messages; staff donating ‘baby bundles’ (packs of essential baby items given to new mums in Africa which encourage them to attend a clinic, and thereby receive medical check-ups or treatment); producing small bags of Fairtrade African coffee wrapped in traditional cloth and tokens given to WG staff in lieu of cash donations - a visual symbol where 45p is the amount the life saving drugs cost.
Sally-ann Efstathiou, Head of Internal Communications, noted the students' enthusiastic and professional approach to their work which was carried-out alongside their studies.
“The student team were confident and displayed sound communication skills presenting creative ideas in a very convincing manner… their commitment and passion was evident.”
The team met Permanent Secretary, Dame Gill Morgan during the fundraising activity who commented on how thrilled she was that they could lend their expertise and support to the Charity Challenge. As a result, Life for African Mothers week will now become a yearly event.
Sally-ann Efstathiou concluded “We wish the students the best of luck with their careers and are sure they will be an asset to any organisation that they go on to work for.”
Related Links
MA International Public Relations and Global Communications Management
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