STUDENTS and staff spent the weeks leading up to Christmas filling shoeboxes of gifts to donate to people living in difficult circumstances in Eastern Europe, as part of an initiative organised by the University for the Creative Arts’ Students’ Union (UCASU).

Students and staff from UCA’s four campuses in Farnham, Canterbury, Epsom and Rochester donated items including toys, toiletries, educational supplies and household goods, as well as gifts for babies and essentials for the elderly.

Campus president at UCA Rochester, Tasmin Brindley, said: “The generosity of our staff and students has been overwhelming.

“These simple items are a drop of happiness for people who may be living in poverty in Eastern Europe. For many, it will be the first present that they have received in a long time and it lets them know that somebody somewhere cares.”

The University for the Creative Arts’ Students’ Union (UCASU) carried out the appeal as part of the Rotary Shoebox Scheme (RSS), an organisation that provides boxes for people to fill with gifts and necessities before taking them to where they are needed most in the world.

“The holidays are the season for giving and sharing with people, particularly when they are living in difficult circumstances,” Tasmin added.

“With the help of staff and students, UCASU managed to fill 25 shoeboxes and a whole big box of larger gifts. We hope these donations will make a difference to the recipients’ lives.”

Once all the items had been donated, they were then carefully packaged into shoeboxes by a team of UCA volunteers and made their way to Eastern Europe in time for Christmas.