A special message from the Vice Chancellor.

I’m not even sure how to start this update. I’m blown away.

I guess a very good place to start is:

To each and every single one of the 114 supporters that have helped us and donated so far THANK YOU SO MUCH. You are amazing! I hope you all have a lovely warm glowy feeling knowing you have done something really good. You have helped us achieve 174% of the original target, with almost a week left on the project!!!!!!

We have also had some very generous organisations who have helped. Thanks go to John Lewis and Partners who have donated all of the wrapping paper required. Thanks also go to Nestle who have pledged a box of Quality Street for each and every stocking (smashing the christmas connection, at least for me).

I know this is ridiculously cheeky at this point but when it comes to helping such deserving students I essentially have no shame - and I’m always willing to stick my neck out a bit.

We are today raising the target, as we would like to encourage as many donations as we can. We have the quite unbelievable target of raising 200% of the original target. Our new target is £2750. That’s £50 per stocking, £50 of smiles, chocolate and joy.

Our friends in Commercial Services have a special treat to help us get there. If we reach our new target, each and every stocking will have a lovely York branded keep cup - with a free hot drink of choice for the students (they’ve even included a delicious christmas themed syrup if so desired!). Thanks to them. What this means is that for every pound donated from now until the new target is reached, if you include the gift aid it is essentially worth £2!

Again, from the very bottom of my heart, thank you to everybody - the response has been incredible and has showed that at UoY we really live the values that Prof Charlie Jeffery recently spoke about in his inaugural speech.

Which leads me on to the last little surprise.

Along with the hand signed cards from our VC that we have had every year, Charlie has gone further. Charlie will be hosting a mince pie reception for these students in the last week of term where they can come along, meet each other (and him), and enjoy a delicious mince pie and warm drink. MY HEART IS BURSTING.

We are York, and we are brilliant.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.