Dedicated Edge Hill students are working tirelessly with Hospice Africa throughout the coronavirus lockdown to support its vital work to help those suffering find dignity at the end of life.

Bethany Draper, Harriet Diver and Abbie McHugh have been able to work remotely, introducing new ideas to enhance its profile after its fundraising activities have been hugely affected as a result of the pandemic.

The charity wanted to show their appreciation in Dying Matters Week, which runs until May 17, and sent heartfelt thanks for the impactful work the students are doing.

Dr Anne Merriman, who founded Hospice Africa in 1992 and was awarded an honorary doctorate by Edge Hill in recognition of her selfless work, said: “Abbie, Bethany and Harriet have been working with us as part of their degree programmes to look at how Hospice Africa can widen its appeal and gain more supporters using social media.

“This work is now even more important as, like all other UK charities, Hospice Africa has been badly affected by the crisis; our charity shops are shut and other fundraising efforts have been greatly reduced. We can’t thank them enough for their support at a time when we need it most.”

And being able to support the charity despite lockdown has provided an employability cornerstone for all three students, and prepared them for the professional world of graduate employment by focussing on a real-life project and working with live data to enhance the charity's profile.

Abbie, who is studying for a BSc (Hons) in Business and Management, said: “I have been able to develop my digital marketing and communication skills in a professional environment – this is what I want to go into when I graduate, and this has been the best experience to work in this field.

“I have been able to analyse the issues and problems Hospice Africa faces in this current climate, I have developed innovative solutions and been hands on.

“We have weekly team meetings remotely and we must write a reflection – this has helped me realise I have gained confidence to have my own ideas and to pitch them to the team.

“I am now looking to apply for the Edge Hill Excellence Scholarship so that after this opportunity and employability module has finished I can continue working with Hospice Africa in the future.”

The project has provided Abbie, Bethany and Harriet with exposure to an external opportunity with a recognised international charity where they have been able to apply their academic skills to a professional work setting.

BA (Hons) History student Bethany added: “The work the hospice carries out is very humbling, providing palliative care to terminally ill patients in sub-Saharan Africa.

“I, along with Abbie and Harriet, have undertaken the role of reviewing their social media platforms and understanding how they can utilise these outlets to grow their following, in turn increasing donations.

“This module has provided me with experience in a ‘real-life’ post-university job role.

“We had planned to visit Dr Anne in Uganda and see the Hospice first hand, but unfortunately, that cannot be the case. Despite this, I hope I can continue my work with them for years to come. I am so grateful for the chance to work with such a wonderful charity and I hope to see it prosper over the coming months and years.”

Prior to the pandemic, the three students were offered an additional once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to Uganda in the summer to work directly with Dr Merriman and once life returns to some normality, the students hope this can be reconsidered for 2021.

Dr Merriman is continuing to fundraise as much as possible and, despite recovering from cancer and a second heart attack, has been doing a sponsored walk on her balcony at her home in Kampala, Uganda, walking 20 laps per day for 25 days, finishing on her 85th birthday on May 13.

To offer her your support, make a donation or find out more about Hospice Africa, go to

https://www.hospice-africa.org.uk/