Thanks to the kindness of the Sheffield City Polytechnic ULE Class of 1979 (now Sheffield Hallam University), a new life-transforming scholarship is being created in the Department for the Natural and Built Environment.

After a 40-year anniversary reunion in 2019, Ian Middleton – now retired after 40 years in the property industry – wrote to his former classmates with the idea, and in March 2020 the fundraising got underway. By September, they had reached their £9,000 target.

Ian hopes that by giving something back, the Class of 1979 can seal its legacy. He hopes the donation will help improve the life of a young person, serve as an example for later classes to follow, improve diversity in the property sector and help him and his classmates stay even better connected with each other in the coming years.

"Our education didn't cost anything. We had no fees, so it was really cheap in comparison. That's why we thought it would be good to do something to help current students who face a very different situation. The whole thing has also reinforced the bond between all of the people in our year."

Ian Middleton, ULE Class of 1979 Elizabeth. Geography student

For the next three years, their donation will be making a life-changing difference for a student. It will be helping to take away some of their financial pressures so they can focus on achieving their potential, instead of worrying about paying their rent.