A leading North East businesswoman has donated £2.5m to the University of Sunderland to improve the training of nurses in the region.
Helen McArdle, who made her name after founding a chain of care homes and nurseries, has donated the multimillion-pound sum to the university to boost its teaching and research in the nursing and care sector.
In recognition of the donation, the university’s Shackleton House building will be re-named Helen McArdle House.
The building is used to train nurses, psychologists, paramedics, and soon, doctors. Its facilities include a state-of-the-art patient transfer suite and two mock hospital wards.
The building will also be home to the Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Research Institute, which will launch on September 10.
Mrs McArdle said: “My whole life has been dedicated to making a difference, both in my care homes and nurseries.
“I am very impressed by the University of Sunderland’s ambition and its commitment to improving patient care. I know that my donation will make a difference and so I am delighted to be able to help the University further develop its plans for teaching and research. I will be keeping in regular touch with the team at the University and look forward to seeing some excellent progress and results.”
Sir David Bell, the university’s vice-chancellor and chief executive, added: “We are hugely indebted and grateful to Helen McArdle for her support Helen’s donation is a game-changer for us and, potentially, life-changing for patients. Helen’s values chime with ours as we seek to improve patient care in our region and beyond.
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“Helen’s donation will allow us to establish PhD research studentships as well as scholarships and prizes to support and celebrate our student nurses. We are also very excited to be creating The Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Research Institute. This unique facility in our region will help us drive forward research focused on achieving excellence in nursing and patient care.”
The £2.5m is the biggest donation the university has ever received and will be used to establish the Helen McArdle Nursing Scholarship programme. The programme will provide financial support to five student nurses each year who can gain access to a £1,200 per year bursary for each of their three years of study.
On top of the scholarships, the cash will also finance the £150 Helen McArdle Nursing Prize, which will be awarded to the most outstanding nursing student each year. The winner will be selected by the McArdle family and staff from the Sunderland School of Nursing.
The first prize will be presented at the university’s winter academic awards in November 2019.
Sue Brent, head of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, said: “We are particularly pleased to be able to recruit into the Helen McArdle PhD Studentships. Attached to the research institute, these full-time research students will benefit society by focusing on new knowledge and ideas that will improve nursing and patient care.”