University gives to community at Christmas

Generous staff and students from the University have donated to the local community in two festive appeals.

Firstly, staff and students bought extra Christmas presents this year, and donated them to a women’s refuge in the Tees Valley. The presents have been donated to Eva Women’s Aid in Redcar and Cleveland, for children who are spending this Christmas in the refuge with their mothers.

Professor Jill Radford, from the University’s School of Social Sciences & Law, said: ‘Sadly, every Christmas some children are forced by domestic violence to flee their homes and spend the season with their Mums in a Women’s Refuge. Ingrid Salomonsen, Eva’s Director, gave a guest lecture to some of our students in November and they decided to organise the toy appeal for the refuge, asking their fellow students and staff to buy one extra present.’

Extremely generous Ingrid Salomonsen said: ‘This is an extremely generous and fantastic contribution by staff and students, particularly for the young people with us over Christmas. The gifts will make such a difference to their Christmas; these high quality presents will make them feel wanted and loved.’

Laura Clayton, 21, a BSc (Hons) Criminology and Psychology student added: ‘This is such a good cause. I enjoyed giving the presents, I’ll think about all of the children on Christmas Day.’

Helen Broughton, 20, from Redcar, who is on the same course as Laura, said: ‘Giving even a little gift just makes a big difference.’

Secondly, donations from University staff are helping to offer a bit of festive cheer to young homeless people.

Nightstop Teesside A Christmas campaign for Nightstop Teesside, which provides support for homeless young people aged 16 to 25, sought donations of gifts and toiletries.

Ruth Fox, Manager of Nightstop Teesside, said: ‘The donations from the University are amazing, absolutely fantastic. They will keep us going throughout the year, as every young person who uses Nightstop receives a bag of toiletries, such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, shampoo and shower gel. And the bigger items we’ll give as Christmas gifts to the young people.’

Jayne Villiers, the University’s Volunteer Co-ordinator, said: ‘It’s the fourth year we’ve run this appeal. I’m pleased to see that even in these difficult financial times the University’s staff has decided to help the community at Christmas.’

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