Students and staff at Vision West Nottinghamshire College have filled 12 shopping trolleys with food, clothing and toiletries for charity.
The donations were collected as part of the annual ‘554 Challenge’, which sees staff and pupils at the Mansfield college contribute much-needed items to a selection of homeless charities.
The project, which takes place over a four-week period, was first devised by computer science curriculum manager Trudi Dean in 2011.
This year’s challenge leader Lee Bunting, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to lead on the project and it’s humbling to know we’re helping these essential charities.
“Thousands of items were kindly brought in over the last month and we’ve been able to gather some clothing and toys for children in this year’s collection too, as there are many vulnerable children living in our communities who need our support.”
Charities benefiting from the challenge include the Beacon Project, the Hall Homeless Support Project, Framework, and Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum (NNRF).
It is really heart-warming
Several representatives attended a presentation at the college’s Derby Road campus on Friday, May 27, to receive their share of the bumper collection.
Beacon Project organiser Ann Mendham, said: “This is fabulous – to know that students and staff are thinking about people less fortunate than themselves is really heart-warming and everything that has been donated is very gratefully received.”
The charity, which began in 2001, runs a day centre supporting homeless people in Mansfield,
Ms Mendham, said: “Our charity mainly works with the homeless but we also help people to access advice and support from other organisations if they need it.
“We like to think of the Beacon Project as a sanctuary.”
The charity will share its donation with sister organisation, the Hall Homeless Support Project, which provides twice-weekly drop-in sessions at St Peter’s Centre, on Churchside, Mansfield.
