Teesside University winter campaign supporting local communities

Staff and students from Teesside University came together to support its Team Teesside Festive Appeal and help those in need this winter.

Encompassing three charitable campaigns – Volun-tees, HelpTU recycling and ,b>Children’s books for hospitals – the appeal set out to make a real difference to the lives of people in the region.

The Volun-tees campaign collected food and toiletry essentials, warm clothing and children’s toys to support the vital work carried out by charity partners FoodCycle, A Way Out and Depaul UK, which help people affected by food poverty, domestic abuse and homelessness respectively.

Jayne Golden, Volunteer Project Co-ordinator at Teesside University, who organised the Volun-tees initiative, was proud to report a 50% increase in the number of donations received compared to the previous year’s campaign.

She said: “Volun-tees has organised a winter collection for over 17 years and, thanks to the generosity of Team Teesside, we have seen a huge increase in donations to our outstanding charity partners this year.

“As an anchor institution, Teesside University is committed to making a real difference within the communities it serves. The items that were so kindly donated by staff and students as part of our appeal will have helped so many across the area, who need our help now more than ever.”

Mathew Milner, of FoodCycle, said: “The donated foodstuffs will enable us to provide even more meals in Middlesbrough to those that are hungry and lonely. As a charity, we rely on external support and are proud of our relationship with the University. The Christmas donation is part of a wider history of support, and we look forward to this partnership continuing.”

Kay Nicolson, from A Way Out, added: “A Way Out is incredibly grateful for the support from Teesside University, especially at this most difficult of times. The donations provided have ensured that families, girls and women have had the opportunity to both experience and share some of the joy of Christmas for themselves and for those they love too.”

Almost 50 bags of second-hand items including clothes, shoes, bags, CDs, DVDs and small electrical products were also collected and donated to the British Heart Foundation as part of the HelpTU recycling campaign.

These donated items have the potential to raise £700 when sold to support crucial research into heart and circulatory diseases.

Clare Simpson, University Account Executive at British Heart Foundation, said: “We have been delighted with the response from Teesside University and their incredible support. Our shops rely on donations to continue raising money to fund lifesaving research, and we’re very grateful for the generous donations from the students and staff.”

Teesside University and Wates Group, which is currently constructing the University’s state-of-the-art BIOS medical and science facility, also called on members of the wider community to donate second-hand books which could be gifted to local children’s hospital wards.

The University would like to thank everybody who supported its Team Teesside Festive Appeal and helped to lighten the load on those in need.

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