Christmas Tree wish campaign makes wishes come

This year’s appeal has generated more than 200 gifts and a total of over £1,000 in online donations to three local charities, enabling them to provide much needed support to their service users. Each charity provided a wish list of items that would benefit their work and gift tags for each gift which were tied to Christmas trees in the University’s Palatine building and Bill Bryson Library. Staff and students were invited to select a tag and donate the gift requested, returning it to sit under the tree, ready for collection by the charities.

Donors also had the opportunity to donate directly to any of the charities, by making an online monetary donation.

Supporting local charities

The three charities were chosen by representatives from Durham Students’ Union: 

DASH, Durham Action on single housing, an independent charity, providing supported and unsupported accommodation for people who are, or about to become, homeless in County Durham.

RSACC, Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre, which offers free confidential counselling and support to survivors who have experienced any form of sexual violence

Durham City of Sanctuary - helping refugees and asylum seekers in the UK and County Durham find friends, housing, employment, legal help and education opportunities.

Generous donations

Professor Claire O’Malley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global), announced the results of this year’s campaign, thanking everyone who has donated for their support, She said “It is touching to see such generosity from colleagues and students, each of these donations can make a positive impact in our local community and shows staff and student support.”

Helen Ross, Assistant Director Libraries and Collections is also delighted with the response to the Appeal. “Our staff have worked hard to run the appeal and organise collecting the gifts, so it’s rewarding for them to see it has been so well supported.”

Find out more about this year’s chosen charities:

·       DASH 

·       RSACC 

·       Durham City of Sanctuary

·       Visit the Christmas Tree Wish webpages