KUSU's annual present collection!

A Christmas-themed blogpost today! Although Christmas is over we couldn’t let it totally disappear without a report on our annual present collection.

This is held each year, students and staff are invited to donate toys and gifts to local charities who need them. This year they went to two charities: Shooting Star CHASE and Refugee Action Kingston (RAK).

Lovely donations round the KUSU tree!

Shooting Star CHASE supports children with life-limiting medical conditions who aren’t expected to reach their nineteenth birthday, providing nursing, advice, practical help and –perhaps most importantly of all- emotional support. The presents donated by Kingston uni were dropped off on Christmas eve, and used at their two hospices, particularly for kids staying over the Christmas period, and by their staff when they visit families at home.

The second charity these lovely toys went to was Refugee Action Kingston. RAK provides advice and support for refugees and asylum seekers. They run lots of services, including helping with legal queries and English and IT teaching. Since many refugees and asylum seekers arrive in the UK with very little, an important part of the practical help RAK provides are their Clothing Collection Days. These are a bit like a giant jumble sale, offering donated clothes, homeware and baby equipment. Toys and toiletries from Kingston staff and students make a special addition to these- particularly in families where money’s tight and new toys just aren’t usually an option.

A massive thank you goes to everyone who donated something, the quality of the gifts was particularly high this year, and we’re looking forward to making just as great a difference to local families next year.