Meet our Donors – “Every little bit could help someone a lot” with Alison Booth

Philanthropy as a way of life

“I come from a family that was always interested in helping others less fortunate than ourselves. As far as I can remember my very first donation was to Greenpeace. Once I had children of my own, I donated to a few children’s charities because I was so grateful that my children were healthy and happy. Today, philanthropy still plays a role in my life, I have a friend who set up a charitable education trust in Rwanda, and I have always helped with that and Manchester Met’s First Generation Scholarship Programme.”

The difference education can have
“I strongly believe that education is the way out of poverty. However, on the course I studied at Manchester Met, there were quite a few mature students and even though they were still working, they struggled to finance their full-time studies. They were my friends and I thought if I could help other people who could find themselves in a similar position in the future, then I would.

“My time at Manchester Met played a huge part in giving back. I absolutely loved it, the friends I made, the lecturers and the work. As we were all very mature students and had to get back home for the family or work, I really enjoyed our lunchtime social life. With friends making me laugh and the academic work filling my brain the whole three years got me through a very tough time. Paradoxically, it was one of the best times of my life.

“I think that my experience in education has made me realise that we all start from a very different level and different aspects of life and growing up plays a role in how much more we might achieve. I wanted to help people who work hard but face a lot of obstacles to get to the same endpoint.”

Looking back

“When I look back, I think my philanthropy work comes from the sense of duty that my family instilled in me. I never tell people that I do these things, but I will carry on doing it until I can’t afford to and as long as it helps.

“I would say to those who can afford to, that they should consider giving back. It could help others to have the same opportunities to succeed as they have had. Every little bit could help someone a lot.”