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UEL helps local kids enjoy a little Christmas magic

Thursday 20 December 2012

Community Links Christmas Party

Staff from the University of East London helped to bring a little festive magic to under-privileged Newham children this week by both sponsoring and helping local community organisation Community Links to stage a Christmas party to remember.

The party took place at Arc in the Park in Canning Town, one of the area’s best loved and busiest community centres, and was attended by around forty children from the borough.

Staff from UEL’s facilities team arrived early and worked all day to decorate the centre, set up food and drink stands and a DJ booth, wrap presents for the children and get changed into festive outfits.

Security Control Room Operator, Tony Willcocks, took on the role of Santa, described by Community Links Events Coordinator, Tom Crews, as: “The best Santa we've had yet - perfect voice, look, ‘Ho Ho Ho!’ everything.”

Laura Thompson, UEL Facilities Services Project Officer and event organiser, said: “I found this great local organisation Community Links and approached the Vice-Chancellor’s Group with the idea of hosting a children’s party for disadvantaged local children and they were really enthusiastic about it.”

“It makes a real difference to these kids. They’re all getting some great presents and it’s a really nice thing for us to be involved in. It has brought us together as a team, too. We worked together all day and everyone felt really involved in doing all we could to make this a special day for the children.”

Community Links manager, Mike Crim, said: “I don’t think that the UEL staff realise what they have done for our children. Many of these kids have it really hard over the Christmas period and UEL has brought a little bit of light, happiness and a belief in the spirit of Christmas that they rarely experience. Thank you is not enough.”

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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