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Christmas comes early for city youngsters thanks to kind-hearted students

A youngster shows off his face painting at the Christmas Party

A youngster shows off his face painting at the Christmas Party

Student volunteers from UBU at the Children's Christmas Party

Student volunteers from UBU at the Children's Christmas Party

Press release issued: 5 December 2011

Over 65 local children got into the festive spirit on Saturday [3 December] at an annual Christmas party organised by student volunteers from the University of Bristol Students’ Union.

The youngsters, aged from five to 11, were joined by Father Christmas and over 40 student volunteers, who ran a variety of games and activities including face-painting, a magic show, disco, a bouncy castle, and their very own Santa’s Grotto. The afternoon finished with a tea party and a present from Father Christmas for every child.

Many of the children were from volunteering projects that UBU Volunteering helps throughout the year, including youngsters from St Paul’s Family and Learning Centre and Humdard – a charity supporting Asian women in Bristol.

Young carers from across the city will also enjoyed the festive fun, which takes place at Churchill Hall in Stoke Bishop.

The event was funded thanks to fundraising events earlier in the year, including a quiz night and a student speed dating event which attracted over 60 students looking for love in the name of a good cause.

UBU Volunteering has secured £5,100 of funding from Children in Need for its work with children and young people in Bristol, including young carers, teenagers with learning disabilities and a one-to-one buddying scheme run in partnership with Bristol City Council.

Rachel Miller, Community Engagement Coordinator at the University’s Students’ Union, said: “It was a fantastic day. All the children had a great time and were very happy. The volunteers put an enormous amount of effort into organising this event. Students worked tirelessly to fundraise and prepare for Saturday’s party in the hope that it would be a day to remember for everyone involved.

“The grant from Children in Need recognises the difference such events can make to young people, who might not otherwise get to enjoy festivities that many of us take for granted.

“It also wouldn’t be possible to run the party without generous support from Churchill Halls of Residence, who generously donate their main halls for the event, and South Gloucestershire Coach and Bus Company who provide free transport every year for the event for all children.”

UBU Volunteering is the student community volunteering programme at the University of Bristol Students’ Union. It aims to build positive relationships between the student body and the local community as well as meeting a social need.

To find out more about UBU Volunteering and how they may be able to work with you, please visit www.ubu.org.uk/volunteer or email rachel.miller@bristol.ac.uk.

 

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