A group of financially disadvantaged students from the University of the Sunshine Coast will receive a helping hand to complete their degrees after the USC community donated more than $25,000 as part of its inaugural ‘G-Day’ fundraising event.

G-Day (short for Giving Day) encouraged staff, students and alumni to ‘give back’ by donating toward USC’s Study Support Bursaries, which help undergraduate students in financial need to reduce their hours of paid work and focus on their studies.

The recent event raised money through online crowdfunding, a breakfast catered through donations from local businesses and a Pledge Party featuring live entertainment by Bearfoot, Gian and former Australian Idol winner Wes Carr.

Funds raised will enable USC to provide an additional 12 Study Support Bursaries in 2017.

USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said the University last year received more than 1,000 applications from students needing financial support, and was able to assist 400.

“For some students, that financial support can be the difference between completing a degree or not,” he said.

“The generosity of our community will ensure as many students as possible are able to graduate from USC.”

Event organiser Greg Bradley from USC’s Development Office said G-Day aimed to share the message of need in a positive way.

“Giving is a representation of who we are as a community,” Mr Bradley said. “When someone needs a hand we pitch in and help them out, which also makes us feel good.

“Throughout the day we received wonderful messages of support from staff and alumni who remembered doing it tough while studying.”

Donations are still open and USC hopes to fund additional Study Support Bursaries over the coming weeks. For details, click here

— Jarna Baudinette