A Stirling University lecturer is to swim seven lochs in a week in a bid to raise funds to support students struck by financial hardship due to coronavirus.
Dr Phia Steyn, who teaches African History, is aiming to raise at least £3000 for the University’s Student Hardship Fund – a grant-giving service set up to provide a lifeline for Stirling students facing money worries.
The fund, which supported almost 250 students last year, has seen demand soar this summer due to Covid-19 and the impact of lockdown rules.
In total, 114 payments were provided between mid-March and the end of July by the university.
Veteran open water swimmer Phia, who has swum both the English and North Channels, set off for Sutherland in the north of Scotland last weekend in a bid to tackle her first challenge — the 9.5km of Loch Naver — before travelling across the Scottish Highlands to swim seven Scottish freshwater lochs in just seven days.
The aim is to swim the full lengths of these seven lochs, wind and weather conditions permitting.
The lecturer is no stranger to taking the plunge. In 2017, Dr Steyn swam into the record books by becoming the first person to successfully swim the entire 25-mile length of Scotland’s longest loch. She completed the entire length of Loch Awe in Argyll and Bute in a time of 18 hours and eight minutes.
In preparation for her latest challenge, Phia has been carrying out early morning training sessions in Loch Venachar since the easing of lockdown.
She said: “A number of my students who found themselves in really dire situations, have benefitted directly from the support of the Student Hardship Fund – it provided a way out of their troubles when they thought all was lost.
“I’m conscious that due to the impact of coronavirus, the fund is needed now more than ever and I’m hopeful that my swim challenge will help raise awareness, as well as much-needed funds for this cause.”
The swim challenge started on Sunday with Loch Naver (9.5km), followed by Loch Hope (August 10, 9.87 km), Loch Assynt (August 11, 10.24km), Loch Luichart (August 12, 8.12km), Loch Laggan (August 13, 11.33km), Loch Garry (August 14, 11km) and will finish at Loch Mhór (7.8km) on Saturday, August 15.
Kerry Bryson, director for advancement at the university, said: “Student Support Services has seen demand for assistance almost double during lockdown, and over June and July, when the fund is usually inactive due to summer holidays, the Hardship Fund provided essential financial support to almost 40
students.
“Many of those had found themselves directly impacted by the Covid-19 lockdown —they had lost their jobs in bars and restaurants for example, or had found themselves unexpectedly stranded in Scotland, all while continuing to face rent demands from private landlords and the pressures of other living costs.
“Our staff and alumni have been fantastic in supporting our fundraising drive, carrying out a number of quirky challenges, including dog-walks, book marathons, and cooking drives and we’re grateful that Phia is throwing herself in to help support the Hardship Fund.”
Leena Giannouli, who studies BA Psychology, recently benefited from the fund, said: “Due to the pandemic, I found myself facing difficulties. As an international student, I could not go back to my home country because the borders closed and I was left without a job to support myself financially.
“I was running out of options — it was very hard for me to cope and this was taking a toll on my mental health.
“It was a time where I felt lost, afraid and unsure of my future.
“I am so grateful for receiving help from the Hardship Fund. It enabled me to continue my studies and I honestly do not know what I would have
done without the grant I received.”
Donations to Phia’s fundraiser can be made by visiting the 7 Lochs 7 Days crowdfunding page or donations can be made directly to the fund by visiting the Student Hardship Fund website: www.stir.ac.uk/39q
