SRC delivers on festive appeal to help local families in need

Through a month-long appeal - running from November 12 to December 12 - students and staff joined forces to collect 310 toys and 798 essential food and toiletry items, making a tangible difference at a critical time of year.

Adding to the festive spirit of charitable giving, staff at the college raised £1,734 through a Christmas raffle for the Alzheimer’s Society NI, the college’s charity partner.

Elsewhere, across multiple campuses, students also took the lead in several fund-raising activities.

Travel and Tourism students on the Newry campus hosted a coffee morning at the college’s Graduate Restaurant, raising £849 for charity.

Students on the LEAP programme at Armagh campus demonstrated their creativity and enterprise skills, creating a range of handmade Christmas crafts and sweet treats, which were sold on campus, in addition to organising a raffle.

All proceeds from this sale and raffle were used to purchase additional gifts for the toy appeal.

In Banbridge, LEAP students showcased their talents by producing a range of handmade Christmas crafts and a festive hamper, which were sold at Tesco earlier this month.

Through their efforts, students raised £242, with the full amount being added to the overall donation made to Alzheimer’s Society NI.

Commenting on the initiatives, Lee Campbell, Principal & Chief Executive of Southern Regional College, said: “The Christmas spirit is clearly alive and well across Southern Regional College and I am incredibly proud of the collective effort shown by our staff and students.

“From donating food and toys to supporting student-led fundraising activities, everyone has played a part in making a meaningful difference for others this Christmas.

“This is the perfect season for hope and generosity,” she added.

"As a Further Education College rooted in our local community, we see first-hand the pressures many learners and families face.”