Volunteering and giving
It’s the season of giving and there are so many ways to get involved this festive season!
Toys on the Table
The Toys on the Table Appeal 2023 is in full swing! Students and staff are invited to donate new toys, games, books, etc to this amazing local charity. You can also make an online donation if you prefer and the closing date for all donations is Friday 15 December.
Now in his sixth year of the campaign, Richard Gamble from Estates and Campus Services has been encouraging students and staff to donate new toys and games for Toys on the Table, a local charity who, last year, provided presents to nearly 5,000 children of all backgrounds in Leicestershire and Rutland. A note from Richard:
“In my sixth year of running this appeal, I once more ask you for your support. In these difficult financial times, even more children of all faiths and backgrounds will need our support to make sure no child goes without a present on Christmas morning. Please help me make this year’s appeal the best yet. Thank you.”
Donating online
If you would like to support the charity but are not able to come to the collection points, you can also donate online via the Toys on the Table JustGiving page.
Donating items
You can drop off items mentioned above to any of the collection points at reception desks in the following buildings:
- Maurice Shock Building
- George Davis Centre
- Fielding Johnson Building
- David Wilson Library
- ECS Service Desk
- The Village Accommodation Reception
- The City Accommodation Reception
- Security Office (for out-of-hours drop offs)
Gifts must be new and unopened. The charity also asks that no toy weapons be donated due to the ongoing conflicts around the world.
Volunteering Fair, on Tuesday 28 November 2023
Start your voyage into volunteering at the Volunteering Fair in the Students' Union Square, Percy Gee Building, running from 11.00am to 2.00pm. The Volunteering Fair, organised by the Volunteering Team in the Careers and Employability Service, aims to connect University of Leicester students and staff with voluntary organisations and charities who are keen to recruit new volunteers.
As Tuesday 28 November is also ‘Giving Tuesday,’ a global day of giving, you will have the option to give to local causes as well as join in with interactive activities.
The organisations attending will be happy to chat and answer questions about their opportunities and how you can make a difference. Organisations attending include: Acton Tutoring, Age UK, Cancer Research UK, Leicester City Council Libraries, LOROS, Menphys, Voluntary Action Leicester, plus many more.
Leicester South Food Bank, for the Trussell Trust
Donations of food will be graciously accepted and distributed by Leicester South Food Bank. Foods that are currently needed include:
- Tinned soup
- Tinned tomatoes 400g
- Tinned potatoes
- 1ltr UHT milk
- 1ltr UHT juice
- Tinned fruit 400g
- Curry sauce
- Custard
- Rice pudding
- Tinned sponge puddings
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- Feminine Hygiene products
Shoe Box Appeal, for youth homelessness charity, The Y
If you would like to support the Shoe Box Appeal which is being organised on behalf of The Y, youth homelessness charity, you can come along and drop your donations and/or shoeboxes, which will be festively wrapped by volunteers. View the list of items that can be accepted.
Plant Pot Decoration Giveaway – Spread a little kindness
Make someone smile by giving them a plant in a pot that you decorate at the Volunteering Fair. There will be limited plants, which will be given away on a first come first serve basis.
For more information about volunteering and giving this festive season, please contact volunteer@le.ac.uk.