12 August 2005

Dundee student gets things moving

An enterprising University of Dundee undergraduate has done some creative thinking "inside the box" to solve an age-old problem for students.

Samantha Davie, who is about to start her fourth-year studying Economics at Dundee, is one of thousands of students who every year struggle to carry books and baggage between university and their parents' home.

In Samantha's case she has either had to rely on her parents to make the six-hour round trip by car from Alnwick in Northumberland, or take public transport clinging on to as much as she could possibly carry.

Samantha (21) is spending this summer back at home working with Van Hee Transport, a transport company based in Gateshead. Together she and the company have come up with an idea to help students move their stuff around more easily between university and home.

Students can order a huge cardboard box from Van Hee, which they can fill up with their possessions, and then call the company when they want it moved.

Van Hee, based at Felling in Gateshead, will deliver the box almost anywhere in the UK the next day for an average £40 fee.

"I had to find a way to save myself and others from those horrible crammed car and train journeys," said Samantha, who has been working with Van Hee during her summer break from university.

"My friends think it's a life-saver, and from the feedback I have had so far it seems that it could really take off."

Samantha's parents, Norrie and Lynda Davie, who run a care home in Alnwick, said they were delighted with their daughter's ingenuity.

"This will save us, and many other parents, many trips to universities to collect computers, bikes and other clobber that students accumulate," said Mr Davie.

At Van Hee, Samantha is working alongside a professional and experienced team to build up her knowledge of the transport industry.

Managing director John Charlton said: "Samantha's idea fits into logical progression for our national network. We have 40 years of experience in the industry which, together with Samantha's experience of student life, should provide a very useful service to students."

Students interested in the new service can find more information at the website at www.anywareuk.co.uk

By Roddy Isles, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, r.isles@dundee.ac.uk