Staff and students join forces to help those in need

Students and staff from the region’s universities joined forces to gather donations of toiletries for distribution to those in need of help.

Volunteer co-ordinators from Teesside, Durham, Sunderland, Northumbria and Newcastle universities each put a call out to their own students and staff across their respective universities to support local charities.

This regional fundraising activity coincided with National Student Volunteering Week, with local Salvation Army Centres across the region receiving donations along with A Way Out in Stockton and Centre Point in Sunderland.

Collection points were set up across each University, with donations sought in the form of toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, hair brushes and combs, hand towels, bath towels, skin creams, gloves, scarves, hats, socks and blankets.

Jayne Golden, Teesside University’s Volunteer Co-ordinator, said: ‘It is great to see the North East Universities working together to support those most in need in our Region, with the generosity of donations from both staff and students.’

Captain Dawn Anderson, Middlesbrough Citadel, Salvation Army, said: ‘We are grateful to the University for supporting our homeless drop-in project with donations of hats, scarves and toiletries. The project supports thirty people on a weekly basis and we believe strongly that it is not just a way of serving a hot meal, but also coming alongside people and offering a supportive listening ear and practical help.’

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