This week, we get to know the Christmas Projects team Sophie Moran, Snigdhorup Rudra, and Diarmuid Harron. Together they volunteer to organise Love in a Box and Santa’s Workshop.
1) Please tell us a bit about yourselves and how you got involved in volunteering
We all do different degrees (psychology with criminology, geography, and business) and although we have different interests, we all engage with volunteering as it is a way to help others and develop skills in particular areas. We have had experience in volunteering in other areas before however, we have really enjoyed leading this project.
2) What do you do as part of the Christmas projects team?
The Christmas Project team has two projects over the first term, and we work with two different charities (FSCI and Age UK) to collect donations for those who need it over Christmas. We all work together to not only advertise the project around campus, but also, run the events, create competitions, and organise all the donations.
3) How many boxes were donated this year for Love in a Box?
This year we managed to donate 143 filled boxes!
4) How can more people get involved in Santa’s Workshop this term?
Santa’s Workshop is an amazing project to get involved in and it helps the elderly in our local community. We have placed donation baskets all around the Egham campus including the Library, the Hub, and outside Crosslands.
Anyone can bring donations such as hand soaps, christmas puddings, etc to any of these points and leave the items there for us to collect. The deadline for the donations is Wednesday 6 December. This is also when our final event is happening so please attend if you have any spare time to help us organise the gift bags! More information can be found on our Instagram @christmasprojects_rhul
5) What is your favourite thing about being part of the Royal Holloway community?
Our favourite part of the Royal Holloway community is the friends we have made along the way!