THE FRIENDS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF READING GRANT APPLICATION FORM
We welcome applications from across the University and associated organisations that support projects which promote the welfare of the University, develop public interest in its work and aid its outreach activities. Grants will not normally be made for expenditure which would generally be funded from University academic resources. Grants are awarded on the condition that they are publicly acknowledged and that the funds are spent by the end of July following the year of award. Further information on the grants process and previous grants awarded can be found on http://thefriends.org.uk
NOTE: as our grants are modest in size, we do not require lengthy explanations!
Name of Project Reading University Sub Aqua Club Training Equipment
Name of Applicant David Ashmore
Email address d.ashmore@reading.ac.uk
School/Dept/Organisation Reading University Sub Aqua Club Telephone number 07928 502432
What is the grant to fund? New equipment to facilitate training.
The Sub Aqua Club is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation which provides affordable training and mentorship for students and staff to train in SCUBA diving, from novice level through to diving instructor. The club has been operating for a number of decades and has introduced hundreds of members to the underwater world.
A recent change to the training requirements from BSAC (our training agency) has mandated the use of diving computers for elements of training. Diving computers track the amount of gas absorbed into a person’s body and helps prevent divers from getting decompression sickness (AKA ‘the bends’). In the past it was permitted for the students to use depth gauges and complicated tables (below) to calculate this, but it has now been deemed not suitable for the training we provide.
Because of the way in which computers track an individuals gas absorption, they cannot be shared between divers, and must be left out the water for 2 days in order to be ‘cleared’ to be handed over to another divers. This means we require sufficient computers to teach a typical group of students – 10 persons.
Furthermore, we are also required to have each of the pair equipped with a diving compass (these can be shared).
Suunto Zoop Novo Dive Computer
Suunto SK8 Dive Compass
Who will benefit from the Project?
The Sub Aqua Club is open to all staff, students and alumni. The majority of our members are students but there are members like myself who are staff, other members who are postgrad and researchers as well as a number of alumni who continue to volunteer their time to assist the club. The people who will benefit the most out of these members will be the students, who generally speaking are unable to afford a computer out of pocket or at least not able to justify it until they are embedded in the sport. This will help us retain our members by keeping the initial costs to a lesser amount.
Overall project cost (inc VAT)
| Description | Cost (ea) | Quantity | Total |
| Suunto Zoop Novo Diving Computer | £215.00 | 10 | £2150.00 |
| Suunto SK8 Diving Compass | £70.00 | 5 | £350.00 |
| Grand Total | £2500.00 | ||
Amount requested from The Friends – £ In a perfect world, we would love to ask for the full amount. But we do not want that to jeopardise the chance of funding. Anything which the FoR would be able to provide would be immensely appreciated.
If the grant requested is not the same as the overall project cost, please indicate how the remainder will be funded:
n/a Are there any running costs or other ongoing costs associated with this application, if so how will these be funded? Running costs are negligible in terms of maintenance. The compasses and computers require only rinsing in water. The diving computers require periodic battery and seal replacements. We have selected a model where we can do this ourselves and the cost is affordable out of our running budget.
How will the contribution from The Friends be publicly acknowledged (e.g. by a plaque, website etc)? We can publicise via our Social Media following and also via SCUBA magazine which is produced by our Sport Governing body. Last time we received funding from the Friends, we had an article published in SCUBA.
Please ensure that this application has the approval of your Head of School / Service/Organisation.
Name of Head:
Oliver Hancox – President, Reading University Sub Aqua Club o.g.a.hancox@reading.ac.uk Adam Bailey – Student Activities Manager adam.bailey@reading.ac.uk
Please return your application to thefriends@reading.ac.uk by 30 April with your project’s name as the email’s subject. If you have not received an acknowledgment within 5 days of submitting your application, please contact us.