Van Mildert College

Outreach & charity work

We are particularly well-known for our community spirit, with our growing number of outreach projects. We are also regularly the top fundraisers for DUCK  (Durham University Charities Kommittee).

Fundraising at Van Mildert

DUCK co-ordinates fundraising by students throughout Durham. The key to the success of charities in Durham and at Van Mildert is that DUCK emphasises the "fun" part of fundraising. University-level events include:

  • Sponsored Hitch-hikes to European capitals like Dublin, Amsterdam, Madrid etc.
  • Sponsored climbs of Kilimanjaro, Skydives and other 'extreme sports'
  • Rag-Raids in Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow etc.
  • Fundraising events like "Back2School" at the Student's Union
  • Charity Sports Matches
  • Grand Duck Races on the River

Van Mildert's DUCK Committee organise a whole number of college-level events throughout the year, many of which take place during the annual "DUCK Week". Here is a taste of a few of those events...

  • 'Hits' at Dinner - If you pay DUCK money, they will 'hit' your friends with baked beans, water, shaving foam, custard pies etc. whilst they eat their dinner.
  • Bops - DJs, live music and DUCK cocktails where you can party-on knowing that of all the money you spend, the proceeds will go to good causes.
  • Auctions - 'Fresher Reps' are auctioned off to the highest bidder after Freshers' week, to do with as you will. Often the bidding can go as high as £80 for the most "popular" individuals!
  • Valentine's 'Hits' - Present your loved ones with flowers, chocolates or a card at the St. Valentine's Day Formal Dinner. Romantic and Charitable!

There are loads more events - too many to name. But the emphasis is on having a good time as well as raising money for deserving causes.

Community and Outreach Projects

There are many outreach projects that you can get involved with at Van Mildert through our Student Community Action group - carrying out work in the local community. Van Mildert students are involved in community schemes throughout the County Durham area including visiting elderly members of the community through our Community Visiting Scheme.  

Our most successful community project is the Van Mildert Young Person's Project (YPP). Throughout the year student volunteers work with Year 10 and Year 11 pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds in a school environment, before bringing them for a one-week residential visit to Van Mildert. The volunteers encourage the pupils to consider going onto further education, and organise educational and fun activities - from teambuilding to visiting the Wet 'n' Wild waterpark.

Meet Chris...

Before he came to Durham, Chris Murphy didn't think outreach work would be a part of his University experience...

"I wanted to get as much out of university as possible, so when I saw the chance at Van Mildert Freshers' Fair to get involved in outreach projects I thought it sounded like a great opportunity. I've always wanted to make a difference in people's lives somehow and because the college community is relatively small, it gave me the confidence to sign up. I now do a Community Visiting Scheme where each week I visit an elderly lady called Hazel in her nursing home. We chat, trade stories, play dominoes and take part in the activities they put on. I also volunteer in a schools project, delivering weekly sessions to GCSE students to help them consider their options for after they leave school. Being part of a college made it really easy to get involved in these projects. All you need is the passion and enthusiasm to get involved!"
Chris Murphy, Van Mildert College, BA Geography