IMPERIAL students who volunteer for the Pimlico Connection could find themselves £1,500 better off.

A £43,500 donation over two years has been pledged by Citigroup, the global financial services company, and will be used to fund at least 20 one-year bursaries worth approximately £1,500 each.

Imperial previously received support from Citigroup through its Senior Statesman Initiative which aims to build stronger relationships with key universities across Europe.

Students who volunteer for the Pimlico Connection, a peer-tutoring scheme that puts students into London primary and secondary schools and gives one-to-one support to pupils, will receive training in career and personal development skills.

The first bursaries will be awarded on 4 March and are aimed at students from less well-off backgrounds. Funding is intended to contribute to living and maintenance costs and successful applicants will be assigned a mentor from Citigroup which will offer guidance in their academic and career decisions while at Imperial.

Sir Richard Sykes, rector, said: "Citigroup's support of the Pimlico Connection is extremely important. Schemes like these enable our students - the best ambassadors the College has - to encourage young people who would not normally consider higher education to think about what a degree could offer them."

Alison Tonkin, a teacher at St Barnabas and St Philip's Primary School, Kensington and Chelsea, one of 18 schools involved with the Pimlico Connection, added: "It's great that Citigroup is supporting Imperial students participating in the Pimlico Connection.

"The students bring new perspective and specialist knowledge into the classroom, and provide one-to-one contact that is valued by both children and teachers."

Citigroup's senior statesman for Imperial, James Foster, head of technology development and operations at Citigroup, concluded: "Citigroup is proud to be associated with the well established Pimlico Connection.

"We hope our involvement will ensure continued enhancement of this community outreach programme.

"The benefit to students of participating in this initiative, in conjunction with their academic studies, greatly contributes to their overall personal and professional development."

Now in its 28th year, the Pimlico Connection places more than 100 Imperial students a year into local schools to help teach subjects such as science, maths and IT.

Students wishing to apply for a Pimlico Connection/Citigroup bursary should visit the website at www.imperial.ac.uk/pimlico