Christopher Brooker takes odds of 6-1 in bet that he will still be with Hannah Grayson at graduation in two years' time
A lovestruck student has found a novel way of declaring his commitment to his girlfriend: staking part of his grant on their still being together at graduation in two years' time.
Spurning the world of pre-nups and similar legal tie-ins, Christopher Brooker staked £100 with bookies in Durham as a declaration of faith.
His defiance of odds of 6-1 came after a talk with Hannah Grayson, 19, a fellow philosophy second-year at the University of Durham.
"We were sitting on the sofa one afternoon, talking about how difficult it is for students to make commitments to each other," he said. "We spend so much time studying along with extra-curricular activities."
Brooker, who is 22 and from Dudley, in the Black Country, said the betting idea came to him "then and there". He went to William Hill after talking to a betting specialist, Joe Crilly, about the equivalent of racehorse form – the time he and Hannah have to spend apart because of other commitments.
"Hannah lived in the flat above me in our first year and we were on the same course," he said. "We became friends at first, then romance blossomed. I didn't tell her about the bet until I had finalised the details. Then I had to, because I wouldn't have been able to do it without her."
Grayson, who is from Harrogate, in North Yorkshire, said: "I actually thought it was a really lovely gesture. It was so touching of him to say that he still wanted to be with me at graduation. I think we are doing quite well at the moment."
Crilly said he was impressed by the devotion behind the bet, whose odds took into account time-juggling to make room for studying, tennis, sleeping and other traditional undergraduate activities. He said: "Christopher has taken the ultimate student sacrifice – spending the equivalent of seven cases of beer on a long-term commitment to his girlfriend."
Brooker will win the equivalent of 42 cases if love wins the day, but he was properly gallant about that. He said: "Hannah means more to me than all the money in the world." And £600 would be handy for a memorable joint degree celebration.