A CHARITY that helps students manage the crippling costs of university is seeking funds to expand its programme and support more people.

Wiltshire Community Foundation’s One Degree More Swindon scheme, which last year supported 42 students – seven from schools in Swindon – gives financial help to youngsters from low income backgrounds as they navigate their formative years at university.

The charity awards grants that remove financial barriers that other students have to face and helps with things like living costs, travel, rent and food.

Rosemary Macdonald, the charity’s chief executive, said: “There is a gap in funding for young people in Swindon wanting to progress to higher education. We want to close this gap and make life fairer for Swindon students.

“Our grand aim is to raise £45,000, which would mean we can send 10 students from Swindon through all three years of their university courses.

“Because they can’t rely on that extra income when they go away to uni, it’s enough to prevent them taking up a place in the first place.

“Our key message is one of fairness – making sure students who have less resources can still get where they want to go.”

One student who has benefited from the scheme is 21-year-old Francesca Elliott, who is currently studying adult nursing at Liverpool John Moores University.

Francesca, originally from Calne, said: “The One Degree More programme has been hugely beneficial and I would encourage people thinking of going to university, but who are worried about the costs, to apply.

“It has meant that I haven’t had to worry about money and it has given me more time to concentrate on my studies.”

The average award is £4,500 a student, which supports them over a three-year course.

Swindon-based company Intel is firmly backing the charity.

Andy Tait, business enabling manager at Intel, said: “As a major employer in Swindon, Intel knows how important it is to support the education and training of young people, no matter what their background.

“We know Swindon has a lot of young people who could achieve more if they were given support so we are happy to help increase the number of young people reaching university and adding value back into the Swindon economy in the future.”

For more information, or to donate to the cause, log on to www.wiltshirecf.org.uk/ODMSwindon.