Team Teesside donates record amounts of everyday essentials to support local communities

Teesside colleagues and students supported local people in need by donating record amounts of everyday essentials as part of the University’s annual Team Teesside Festive Appeal.

The campaign supported charitable initiatives organised by Volun-tees, the University’s volunteering team, and the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The Volun-tees campaign collected foodstuffs and toiletries on behalf of two local charities helping people affected by domestic abuse and food poverty - A Way Out and FairShare North East.

Jayne Golden, Volunteer Project Co-ordinator at Teesside University, who organised the Volun-tees initiative said: ‘This year was our most successful campaign so far in terms of donations. We weighed and collected over 518kg of food essentials.

‘We are incredibly proud of everyone across the University for supporting these incredible charities.’

Andy Popple, Volunteering and Employability Co-ordinator at FareShare North East said: ‘We are thrilled by the generosity of donations from Teesside University.

‘All of the food and other items will be redistributed through our network of Community Food Members who in turn will ensure it reaches the people who need it the most. A huge thank for your support.’

In addition, the British Heart Foundation collected more than 20 bags of donations from drop-off points around Teesside’s Middlesbrough campus. The items donated will raise hundreds of pounds to help fund lifesaving research into heart and circulatory diseases when sold in BHF shops.

Clare Simpson, University Account Executive at British Heart Foundation, said: “Once again, staff and students at Teesside University have stepped up to help fund our lifesaving research, and we appreciate their generosity and kindness.

Our shops rely on donations to continue raising money, and it’s wonderful to know we have the support of everyone at Teesside University.’

As an anchor institution in Middlesbrough and across the wider Tees Valley, Teesside University is committed to making a positive difference to the communities it serves.

The University launched its Community Investment and Social Impact Strategy last year, with the aim of generating social impact and improving the lives of people in Middlesbrough and the wider Tees Valley.

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