Making a difference

We are proud of all the Team Teesside members who stepped up to help vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic, and all our other colleagues and students who go out of their way to make a difference in their local communities.

Professor Mark Simpson’s ultramarathon charity challenge

Professor Mark Simpson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) tackled a 160-mile run along the Cleveland Way in May 2021 and raised more than £2,000 for charitable cancer causes.

Teesside student Tamsyn helps vulnerable improve their oral hygiene

Dental student Tamsyn McKenna knows the impact good oral hygiene can have on health, and she put her expertise to good use during the pandemic. She arranged donations of hundreds of oral hygiene aids to help vulnerable local people.

Team Teesside donates record amounts of everyday essentials to support local communities

Teesside colleagues and students supported local people in need by donating record amounts of everyday essentials as part of the University’s annual Team Teesside Festive Appeal.

Matthew’s seaside to Teesside charity run

Matthew Skipper, Course Operations Adviser, ran 12.35 miles from Marske to Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium in July 2021 to raise more than £2,000 for Cancer Research in memory of his dad, Timothy (a senior technician at Teesside University for 27 years).

Peter raced the sun for Action Medical Research

Dr Peter van der Graaf (Associate Professor, SHLS), took part in the Race the Sun team challenge in the Lake District and raised £280 for Action Medical Research to make a real difference to children's lives.

Rachel took the plunge for Papyrus

Rachel Jones, Corporate Events Officer in the Communications and Development team, braved the elements for a Boxing Day Dip at Saltburn-by-the-Sea, to raise more than £400 for Papyrus UK. The charity is dedicated to the prevention of young suicide by ensuring access to practical advice and professional support.

Nicole hits fundraising target for the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust

Senior Psychology Technician Nicole Beddard smashed her fundraising target for the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust. She completed 2021 squats in January 2021 and collected £1090 for her chosen charity.

Carla’s running challenge for Maggie's Centres

Teesside PhD student and KTP associate Carla Resendiz Villasenor ran 68 miles in January 2021, with her husband, to raise £244 for Maggie's Centres - a charity providing free cancer support and information across the UK and online.

Teesside University winter campaign supporting local communities

Colleagues and students from Teesside University came together to support its Team Teesside Festive Appeal and help those in need this winter.

Amelia and friends did '10 for David'

Professor Amelia Lake, from the School of Health & Life Sciences, raises money for medical research in memory of her son David who died from ACD, a rare lung condition, shortly after he was born. She encouraged people to take on a 10k, 10 mile or ten-minute run or walk to fundraise for the charity in Spring 2021.

Chris Coverdale, Security Officer, Teesside University

Teesside University offers life-saving CPR training for staff

A Teesside University Security Officer who helped save the life of a member of the public has spoken about the importance of CPR training.

Annabelle’s marathon challenge in memory of her dad

Annabelle James, Principal Lecturer (Marketing & Recruitment), completed the Milton Keynes Winter Half Marathon 2021 and raised more than £600 for the Milton Keynes Hospital Charity, in memory of her father. All the money she raised will go directly to the ward where her dad was cared for.

Teesside University academic runs 2000 miles to raise money for the NHS

Teesside University academic Dr Ben Lamb is raising thousands of pounds for local hospitals after being inspired by Captain Tom Moore’s heroic efforts.

Jess Pearse (left) and Sophie Kendall (right)

Teesside University students boosting healthy habits in adults with learning disabilities

Dietetics students Jess Pearse and Sophie Kendall took a practical placement to encourage healthy eating. They helped adults with learning disabilities by raising awareness about the importance of a nutritious diet and produced several useful resources including easy read recipe cards and books to encourage healthy eating.

Teesside University volunteers with some of the donated food collected as part of the Festive Food Drive

Universities collect over a tonne of items during Festive Food Drive

Teesside University has joined forces with universities across the North East to collect more than a tonne of food and toiletries for families who need a little help this Christmas.?

Rebecca Walters, Senior Lecturer in Education in the University’s School of Social Sciences Humanities & Law, with Debbie Fixter, co-founder and manager of Thornaby based Little Sprouts.

Rebecca's voluntary work with charity tackling food poverty

Senior Lecturer Rebecca Walters responded to an urgent social media appeal by the charity Little Sprouts to help deliver packed lunches to local children during lockdown. She then joined a team of seven volunteers at The Community Hub in Thornaby, to distribute food parcels to families in need.

I'm new to Teesside but have worked in HE for many years. I know that if all staff, no matter their role, have a passion to deliver a fantastic student experience our students will feel this and benefit from it. I've found this shared passion at TU - this is Team Teesside.

Dr Nicola Watchman Smith, Deputy Director Student Learning, Student Learning & Academic Registry

To me, Team Teesside means family. In my 12 years here, from my car journey to work and the walk up to my office, every passing colleague feels like family - from distant relatives to close siblings. Every member of Team Teesside to me is reflective of family and the values we live and breathe reflect this.

Gary Singh, Deputy Director of Legal and Governance Services, Legal & Governance Services

I feel privileged to be a part of Team Teesside because it's a community like no other. You are working collectively to achieve a common goal which makes your work truly valued. There’s a sense of pride and belonging that comes with being part of Team Teesside.

Demi Falshaw, Student Adviser (Mental Health and Autism), Student & Library Services

Team Teesside for me is all about inclusion and feeling connected to the overall objectives and aspirations of the University. It's about knowing we can all play our part, no matter how small, in making this the best University for students and staff.

Rob Coulson, Head of Payroll Services , Finance & Commercial Development