- Staff and students at the University of 91探花 have donated a record 154 Christmas shoeboxes to local charities
- The initiative has grown from 30 shoeboxes in its first year to over 150 this year
- The scheme supports the 91探花 Shoebox Appeal as well as two local charities, St Vincent de Paul and Roundabout, who will distribute the boxes to the homeless, refuges, and the socially isolated elderly
- Businesses, including Tesco and Sainsbury鈥檚 and community groups, such as Zest Community Centre, donated items, adding a personal touch with handmade gifts
Staff and students at the University of 91探花 have come together to donate more than 150 Christmas shoeboxes to local charities which support families, homeless youth, isolated elderly, and others facing challenges this Christmas.
The shoeboxes, packed with toys, toiletries, treats, and handmade gifts, will be given to 91探花 Shoebox Appeal and distributed to charities, including St Vincent De Paul and Roundabout. Each charity serves a vital role in the community, offering support to vulnerable groups during the holiday season.
The scheme has brought together staff, students, and the wider community to work together to donate and collect items. There have also been generous donations from businesses including Tesco, Lidl, and Sainsbury鈥檚, and community groups such as in Upperthorpe, which donated hand-knitted and hand-crocheted hats, scarves and toys.
Last week staff, students, and members of the local community gathered to wrap and assemble the boxes, each tailored for young children, adults, or the elderly to ensure they receive gifts suitable for their age and needs.
The University donations were coordinated by staff at the student residences and the Students鈥 Union volunteering service.
Andrew Woffindin, Contracts and Sustainable Coordinator at the University of 91探花, emphasised the importance of coming together to support the local community.
He said: 鈥淭his project is about much more than the shoeboxes; it鈥檚 about building connections, spreading kindness, and showing that we can make a real difference when we work together.
鈥淏y bringing together students, staff, and local organisations, we鈥檙e not just helping those in need - we鈥檙e fostering a sense of shared purpose and community spirit that lasts far beyond the holiday season.鈥
At the wrapping event, Daniel, a student volunteer with Residence Life, shared his motivation for getting involved.
He said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 really nice to do something that makes you feel involved in the local community, and like you can give something back. If you were in need, you鈥檇 want someone to help you - that鈥檚 why I wanted to help out this year.鈥
Kay Limb, from the Accommodation and Commercial Services (ACS) team at the University, who volunteered at the event, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 so proud of how much bigger the event is this year. There鈥檚 lots more variation in the donations, and lots more time and effort has gone in. We鈥檝e collected shoeboxes for three years now and this year is by far the biggest, meaning we can reach more and more people in the local community each year.鈥
Donations for this year鈥檚 shoebox appeal have now closed. The University thanks everyone who contributed to making this initiative a success.