A massive thank you to everyone for supporting the campaign again this year - we've been able to purchase a mountain of lovely gifts which have been wrapped by our staff of elves and are ready to go... Merry Christmas everyone!

We've already raised an incredible sum - thanks so much to everyone for your support. Every penny will be spent on giving our students lovely Christmas gifts and showing them that we care. There's just 6 days left for anyone who would like to donate.

This is what your donations mean to our students: 

• It feels nice, unexpectedly homely.
• Feeling cared for 
• It made me feel more like people cared.
• Receiving a xmas stocking from the uni made me feel the student wellbeing officer would go the extra step to help me feel included in really hard times

A massive thank you to everyone who has donated and shared so far - we've raised 41% of our target so far which is incredible! Please continue to share as far as wide as possible; your help makes such a difference.

Here's some feedback from students this year about what this means to them:

• It made me feel respected and recognised.
• I enjoyed it reminded me of happier times when I was younger
• It made me feel supported by the university, it makes you know that you’re not alone, bringing Christmas cheer. 
• Every year it makes me feel like someone is there looking out for me and I get to have the Christmas I missed out on as a child (in a really small way that means a lot<3)
• Being alone at Xmas is never fun & having this gift from the uni has always made me feel better each year. The thought and effort that goes into it is so special.
• Having something just adds a little Christmas spark to usually a very lonely time to be an independent student. 

Here are some of the quotes from our students who've previously received a Christmas Stocking:

• It was really really lovely and a nice little suprise I did not expect so many different things that were actually usefull as well! Made me feel less alone during Christmas period as I do not get many gifts from family so it was really nice :) Thank you!
• It made me feel really cared for and thought of in a time that is usually quite difficult
• I received one last year and there was such a good range, it felt like such a thoughtful gift and I still have some of the things now and always makes me remember that I am not alone especially when I feel low.
• I really struggled last year with my physical/mental health, and had to miss out on so many Uni-related things because of it. Receiving a stocking made me feel a lot less left out and gave me the boost I needed!
• I really enjoyed the gifts in the stocking last year, especially the food because it made me feel like I was cared for, especially with the home-made feeling of a lot of the brands
• Honestly really makes my Christmas every year, always thoughtfully picked out gifts
• It was wonderful to get a present from the uni, especially when watching others receive gifts from family.
• I felt included and recognised which was heartwarming
• It gave me something to look forward to on Christmas day as there were gifts to open!
• I felt cared about, I felt like I mattered in a way
• It made me feel like I wasn't alone and I was worthy 💕
• I have received the stocking for a few years now and it is always a great feeling. However especially last year it made a great impact to have something to look forward to and actually open on Christmas Day. It made me feel like I wasn’t alone.
• For me it’s shown how University has gone above and beyond to make me feel thought of and supported and thought of during what can be a really difficult time of year!
• I have never received one but I am so thankful to the independent student support system. In such little time, I already feel valued and I know I am not alone.

My story

My name is Fran Hornsby. I’m the dedicated contact for our Care Experienced and Estranged Students at the University of York. Prior to this, for over a decade, I supported children and young people who were either using drugs themselves, or affected by someone else’s use. In both of these roles, I have met people who have overcome the most challenging circumstances. I’ve been incredibly privileged to meet these people; they inspire me every day with their resilience, motivation and strength of character. Suffice to say, it is not easy being a student at University without parents to support you and yet that is what our students are doing - aspiring and achieving. I love this campaign - it’s a way we can show them how fabulous we think they are!