Inspirational students celebrated at awards ceremony

19th April 2017

Inspirational students from across Sheffield Hallam University's Business School have had their achievements celebrated at an annual awards ceremony.

Seventeen students were commended including a third-year who set up a voluntary dog walking service and an events management student who turned around the fortunes of the University's canoeing club. Among the winners at last night's Inspirational Student Awards ceremony was Ben Thompson, a third year business economics student, who won the Social Responsibility Award. He received the accolade for his community work including setting up a voluntary dog walking service for people who are unable to walk their dogs due to age or disability and helping to transform a derelict piece of land in the city for use by school children. Ben said the University has offered him a huge amount of support including giving him a grant to set up the dog walking service to help integrate students with the community. Another winner on the night was Anthony Garbett, a languages student with Asperger's Syndrome, who has excelled during his time at Sheffield Hallam and become the president of the languages student society. Anthony received the Student Society Leader Award for his outstanding contribution and committed leadership of the languages society. He said: "Sheffield Hallam University has been very supportive in helping me to develop over the past four years. I have been given the confidence to engage in the running of extra-curricular activities alongside my studies. "This year, I have been a society leader, with the intention of making a positive difference for others at Hallam. "To win an Inspirational Student Award in recognition of this is an honour, as it shows that my efforts have been noticed and demonstrates how every individual at the university can enhance their skills over time." Leah England-Gray was nominated by her placement employer, Hallam FM, for her work on their fundraising campaign Cash For Kids. They described her as a 'real asset to the team' and said her 'selfless attitude' meant they were now anticipating their biggest fundraising year in recent history. She received the Outstanding Contribution Whilst on Placement award. Dr Sam Giove, Head of Student Employability and Employment, said: "The annual awards ceremony really highlights some of the exceptional students we have here at Sheffield Hallam who are an inspiration to so many of us. "I would like to congratulate all of them for their achievements and wish them every success for the future."