Four entrepreneurial students from the University of Central Lancashire have received a boost to their businesses thanks to a financial legacy donated by a graduate’s family following her death.
The students have each received funding from the Sarah Butterworth Enterprise Fund, which was established in February this year and aims to benefit up to 15 student start-up businesses per academic year.
The Fund was set up by the husband of Sarah, Dan Turnock, who pledged a total of £50,000 to the University in her memory after Sarah was unable to fulfil her ambition to set up her own business after sadly passing away aged 37 in 2021.
The benefitting businesses: Idolsy clothing, Another Shiro Music song writing and production services, preloved menswear magazine Nathan and open water swimming clothing range Nipples and Ripples, are all based in the North West.
"The Sarah Butterworth Enterprise Fund has made it possible for me to launch my dream business. "
— Award recipient Sam Loat
Sam Loat was awarded £700 to established Nathan magazine, which will be distributed around the region.
The 26-year-old from Manchester said: “The Sarah Butterworth Enterprise Fund has made it possible for me to launch my dream business. Launching a magazine is no easy task and with eight photoshoots I needed help with funding it.
“Without Sarah I wouldn't have been able to create the full magazine that I envisioned.”
Another recipient, Sophia Reichel, used her funding of £600 to launch her Blackpool-based clothing range Idolsy. “The money has put me and my partner in a great position to have a business up and running before we even finish university” she said.
"The money has put me and my partner in a great position to have a business up and running before we even finish university."
— Fund recipient Sophia Reichel
“I've been able to buy a heat press, which the whole business is based around and without this our business wouldn't be possible. We are extremely grateful.”
Lavina Haslam was awarded £750 to promote her open water swimming clothing range Nipples and Ripples. She said: “The money enabled me to host my own stall at three events this year Love Herder, Windrush Preston and Forgotten Lands so I was able to get my business seen in the community.”
The Sarah Butterworth Fund has so far provided £2,500 of funding for entrepreneurial students at the University.
"It is exciting to see the positive impact of the award in helping the first recipients realise their dream of starting their own businesses."
— Sarah’s husband Dan Turnock
Sarah’s husband Dan Turnock commented: “It is exciting to see the positive impact of the award in helping the first recipients realise their dream of starting their own businesses. Sarah’s family and I are delighted that the award is supporting such fantastic business ideas in Sarah’s memory.”
Students from any University of Central Lancashire degree programme can apply for funding through the scheme if they can demonstrate how the money will help towards preparation for setting up and starting a business venture.
Applicants are supported for the first two years of the business’ creation through 1-1 mentoring and access to the university’s excellent support network. They are also aided in producing a robust business plan along with the practicalities of registering and setting up and running a small business.
