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Newcastle University student Emma McCormick launches crowdfunder to help her get out of debt

She manages to raise £10 in almost two months having taken inspiration from a similar campaign to help Kanye West

Aftab Ali
Student Editor
Friday 06 May 2016 17:12 BST
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How the student's balance looks on her fundraising page so far
How the student's balance looks on her fundraising page so far (GoFundMe)

University can be tough, especially for a fresher. All those nights out can really take their toll, especially on the old bank balance - which has affected one student so much, that she’s launched an appeal for the public to help her get out of debt.

Emma McCormick, a first-year at Newcastle University, decided to take inspiration from a campaign to get Kanye West out of debt by starting her own GoFundMe page almost two months ago with the goal of raising £500. Downside? She’s only managed to reach £10.

In her fundraising appeal, the 18-year-old, who’s originally from Northern Ireland, says: “After embarking on a voyage to the mainland (aka England), I’ve faced the hardships that every student has underwent.

“The costs of nightclub entry and trebles do add up, whilst the overdraft hits sky rocket figures. If Kanye West can receive donations, I hope I can too.”

So, what on Earth has the student managed to spend her money on? Speaking to The Tab, she told of the trials and tribulations of having friends at other universities across the UK, which makes it too easy to be “lured” into weekends in Liverpool or Glasgow.

She’s also been experiencing life around Newcastle, having been to just about every coffee shop, heading to the cinema, ice-skating, going to the beach, and random days away. Oh, and she also bought a bike.

Ms McCormick told The Tab she was “heartbroken” at having only managed to raise a tenner, adding how she thought her friends would have spared a little.

However, in good spirits, she said her mates have managed to keep the joke going, and told the site: “Some of them have got me a drink on a night out or chucked us their spare change in aid of keeping the joke going.

“Even the other night, my flatmate had a friend round and he mentioned seeing the status and gave me the change in his wallet, saying it had given him a good laugh.”

If you feel it in your heart to spare a little for this fresher, head over to her GoFundMe page.

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