Barrow mum makes daily 140 mile round trip to achieve academic dream
A Barrow mum is celebrating her degree success after travelling almost 140 miles a day to attend university.
Elizabeth Fawcett, a 25-year-old mum of one, graduated from the University of Central 成人视频 (UCLan) this week with a First Class degree in Business and Management after spending the last three years commuting almost 70 miles each way to Preston for her studies.
The former Chetwynde and Lancaster Girls鈥 Grammar School pupil has juggled her studies with being a mum to three-year-old daughter Hallie.
She commented: 鈥淚t鈥檚 been an intensive three years with many 6.30am train rides to Preston and sometimes getting home late so I鈥檝e had to make a lot of sacrifices to get to this point but it鈥檚 been worth it.鈥
Prior to studying at UCLan, Elizabeth trained as a classical singer and pianist as well as working for her dad Dean in his vehicle repair body shop, County Coachbuilders Automotive, in Barrow. It was after having her daughter that Elizabeth decided to pursue a career in business management and alongside this she has volunteered at Barrow Sixth Form College with her grandmother Sheila to gain extra work experience.
"I鈥檝e received a lot of guidance from my tutors who took an interest in me as an individual and my mum Debbie and grandma Dorothy have been a great help with childcare."
鈥淚 wanted to carve out a good career for myself and my family and I鈥檝e taken a big interest in the HR modules during my course to hopefully go in this direction. I would love to work at BAE Systems and I am keen to develop my career in the local area鈥 she said.
Elizabeth acknowledged the support she鈥檚 had during her course. She added: 鈥淚鈥檝e received a lot of guidance from my tutors who took an interest in me as an individual and my mum Debbie and grandma Dorothy have been a great help with childcare. I鈥檝e also had a lot of support from my partner Liam and I know they鈥檙e all very proud of me.鈥
Elizabeth鈥檚 Course Leader at UCLan, Chris McCarthy, congratulated her student. She said: 鈥淲orking with Elizabeth has been a humbling experience and she has been amazingly supportive of her peers throughout her time here. Elizabeth is an inspirational individual who has shown strong self-discipline and motivation. She is an excellent role model to other students and it has been a pleasure working with her. I wish her the best of luck in the future.鈥
Elizabeth was one of almost 4,000 students who graduated from UCLan this week at Preston鈥檚 Guild Hall.