Uni hosts 24-hour charity event

As a civic university which prides itself on delivering practice-led learning and teaching, Solent is committed to connecting students to meaningful opportunities which have a widespread impact, all while contributing to their skills development.

This year’s COPD Big Baton Pass – which started in Australia on Tuesday 18 November for the first leg before handing over to the UK on Wednesday 19 November – saw more than 50 students take part in activities, including the running of a live broadcast from the heart of campus.

A wide range of courses got involved, from BA (Hons) Film Production and BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing to BA (Hons) Television Production, and Sonar Events – the University’s award-winning student-led live events society – played a key role in overseeing the livestream.

The event, which took place on World COPD Day, is designed to enhance knowledge around the disease, as well as get people moving in a healthy, beneficial way. There were a range of virtual events, while in-person activities took place across the world in Australia and right at the heart of Solent’s city-centre campus.

BA (Hons) Film and Television student, Nadia Gorczyca, says:

“Being a social media coordinator for the Big Baton Pass 2025 was an incredible experience. I had the chance to capture the dedication of everyone involved, including students, staff, and participants, and share it with a wider audience in real time.

“It was inspiring to see how a 24-hour event could bring together so many people, all working toward a common goal of supporting those with chronic health conditions. I feel proud to have contributed to such a meaningful initiative and to have developed skills in live event coverage, content creation, and community engagement along the way.”

The UK leg of the 24-hour event kicked off at 9am, with students at Solent taking part in yoga and dance classes in the morning to promote healthy, accessible movement. Later in the day, student nurses had the opportunity to observe a COPD clinic, gaining insight into supporting patients.

Solent’s Course Leader Film and Television, Dr Stuart Joy, says:

“The success of this event showcases the impact of cross-sector collaboration, and how, at Solent, we utilise our bespoke resources – from industry-standard facilities to expert staff and talented students – to support a range of initiatives. The impact is two-fold: benefitting those we collaborate with while giving our students work-ready experience which adds to their CV. The day was a huge success, and we look forward to coming together again in the future.”