A group of radiography students from the University of Liverpool have come together for a end of study challenge to raise money for a mental health charity.

Third-year students, Jess, Lucy, Kate, Natasha, Georgia, Lucy, Alex and Ben who are training at Arrowe Park Hospital, will be raising money for North West mental health charity, The Martin Gallier Project.

To mark this year's World Radiography Day, the students have decided to raise awareness around suicide due to the increased impact from Covid-19.

Third year University of Liverpool student Kate

Third year University of Liverpool student Kate

They told the Globe: “As students who have never experienced anything like Covid we were all very anxious about returning to placement for our clinical training because we didn’t know what to expect.

“We didn’t know how unwell the patients were going to be and we were worried about the impact it would have on us and our families.”

Third year Radiography students at Arrowe Park Hospital

Third year Radiography students Emma and Georgia at Arrowe Park Hospital

To celebrate the occasion and raise money, the eight students and their deputy clinical tutor, Emma, will be taking part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge as their alternative graduation ceremony.

The students said: “As a cohort, we have found the experience quite daunting and mentally draining at times because we have had to balance our university work with our placement.

Student Jess on placement as part of her studies

Student Jess on placement as part of her studies

“This, alongside the stress of Covid has also made the situation very overwhelming.

“Our time on placement has highlighted how important mental health awareness is and how important it is to talk to others about our thoughts and feelings during difficult times.

Third year Radiography student Alex

Third year Radiography student Alex

“With the support of each other and the team of radiographers at the hospital, we have been able to adapt to the new situation and overcome some of our worries.”

The event will take place in July this year and will see the students not only raise money for suicide awareness but also celebrate the end of their studies.

Radiography student

Radiography student Lucy

They said: “We won’t be able to have a graduation ceremony this year because of Covid so our aim is to raise money for charity and also awareness around the role of a radiographer in hospital particularly as the imaging department has played such a vital role throughout the pandemic.”

Third year Radiography student Emma on placement at Arrowe Park

Third year Radiography student Emma on placement at Arrowe Park

You can check out their just giving page here.