24 June 2026
“Many students, past and present, have been grateful to Rotary Club Sunderland for their support"
You may have seen the luminous yellow bibs of the Rotary Club of Sunderland braving the heavy rain during Take That’s visit to Sunderland earlier this month.
But that was no one-off.
This dedicated team of volunteers have been collecting parking money for charity at the University of Sunderland since 2001.
To mark that 25-year partnership, the Rotary Club of Sunderland donated £25,000 to the Great North Air Ambulance and the University of Sunderland.
Through their gift to the University, Rotary Club Sunderland will be supporting students who, like the helpful members of the Club in their yellow bibs, are making a real impact on their community. To date, Rotary Club Sunderland has donated £178,000 to the University of Sunderland.
This year, the Club has awarded a new prize, The Rotary Club of Sunderland’s President’s Prize Award, to Megan Hart, a BA Fine Art student who graduates next month (July). Megan, who is a care leaver, is partially sighted and received the award in recognition of their outstanding achievements. You can read more about Megan’s story HERE.
Commenting on the creation of the new prize, the University's Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Sir David Bell, said: “We have benefited enormously from the generosity of Rotary Club Sunderland over the past quarter of a century. The new Rotary Club of Sunderland’s President’s Prize Award is a great new addition to that support, and I warmly congratulate Megan Hart on being the first recipient.
“Many students, past and present, have been grateful to Rotary Club Sunderland for their support. I would add the University's thanks as the contribution of the Club has been invaluable to us over the years. Long may it continue.”
Paul Dunlop, President of the Rotary Club of Sunderland, said: “The ethos of Rotary Club is of fellowship, integrity, diversity, service and leadership. The University of Sunderland is an important part of our city and whilst it may be a cliche, the young people are our future and we are delighted to be able to help them through our partnership with the University.”
As a Consultant Surgeon at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Mr Dunlop was particularly keen to support both the work of the Great North Air Ambulance and the University’s School of Medicine.
Mr Dunlop said: “The Rotary Club are in a position to make a donation to this essential charity and it is fitting that we are making this donation in a University that now has a Medical School and a paramedical degree course.”
BSc Paramedic Science students Aaron Harlow-Stephenson and Bethany Campbell have also been supported by the Rotary Club.
Former firefighter Aaron, who has received training from the Great North Air Ambulance, has been funded with a scholarship, and has made a huge contribution in both his studies as a paramedic, and as a player for England Universities' Rugby League squad.
Fellow Paramedic Science student Bethany Campbell has also been supported during her studies. Both Bethany and Aaron will start work with the North East Air Ambulance Service this summer.
Other students recognised by the Rotary Club include:
- Hannah Clarke, a final-year BA Photography, Video and Digital Imaging student whose work has appeared at the National Portrait Gallery.
- BA Graphic Design student Steve Ross who has overcome significant mental health challenges, and this year attended a printing workshop in Zurich.
- BEng Mechanical Engineering student Jose Saurith, who took part in a Formula 1 engineering course.
- Glass artist Sue Simmons who travelled to London for a one-to-one workshop with glass artist Estitxu García.
- Claudia Surrage, an MA Ceramics student who travelled to Sicily to work with a master potter.
Rotary Club Sunderland's day at the University also focussed on the work of the Student Intercultural Management Programme, an international learning experience for Sunderland business studies' students to study in Germany at Hochschule Hannover University.
The event also celebrated the success of the University of Sunderland Gospel Choir. Founded in 2024 by Medical student Amarachi Inyama, the choir has become a vibrant part of student – and city – life, supporting runners at this year's Sunderland City Run.
With support from the Rotary Club donations and other funding, the Choir was able to travel to London earlier this year to compete in the University Gospel Choir of the Year competition.
The Rotary Club of Sunderland was founded in 1922 and is part of an international organisation whose purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.