24 hours of lectures inspired by Dr Tim Richardson

The 24 Hour Inspire, a remarkable event in honour of Dr Tim Richardson, will take place at the Hicks Building from 5pm on Thursday 28 February until 5pm on Friday 1 March.

Tim worked in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. He passed away on 5 February 2013 after being diagnosed with cancer last year. The charity he created, Inspiration for Life, is a vibrant legacy which will give something back to education and help people of all ages affected by cancer.

The charity’s first major event features lectures on a wide range of subjects including asteroids, magic, extraterrestrial life forms, music, human rights, infinity, and more, and will see staff from across the University lecture around the clock. Join in the conversation on Twitter @inspirationfor2.

Catherine Annabel, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the charity, said: “Tim raised more than £8,000 for Children In Need with 24 hours of back-to-back lectures at the University in 2011, which we used as an inspiration for this week’s event.”

Tim’s inspirational diary and reflections on life, love, illness, education and meaning will shortly be published as an eBook. For When I’m Sleeping is expected to raise even more money for cancer charities. For more about Dr Richardson’s story and his charity visit Inspiration for Life.

Tickets to the event are available on the door, with a minimum donation of £1 per lecture or £5 for the full programme.

Catherine Annabel added: “Inspiration for Life will allow health research funding, hospice funding and funding for education to be delivered as a result of the very varied range of charitable activities that University staff and students and others beyond carry out.

“There will be a range of activities aiming to promote lifelong learning, and encourage the public understanding of science – publications, lectures and other events. We’ll work within and beyond the University, linking up with schools and other organisations who share these goals.

“We’ll also encourage students in Physics and Astronomy through the award of prizes each year for those who have provided inspiration for others, academic and otherwise.”