51Âþ»­

Staff and students at 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) have donated a mountain of toys to a charity which will ensure disadvantaged children in Leicestershire have gifts to open this Christmas.

De Montfort Students' Union (DSU) asked for donations for the Toys on the Table charity which gives toys to children in the city and county who may not otherwise receive anything from Santa, writes Kerri Stevenson.

For the sixth year running, there was a tremendous response from 51Âþ»­ and the DSU and more than 200 toys and gifts were donated.

Today, students and staff came together in the DSU Hub to wrap the presents containing everything from books and crayons to cuddly toys and board games.

Terry Watts, president of Toys on the Table, said that a total of 8,000 toys had been collected and wrapped and would be given to 4,000 underprivileged children referred to the charity by groups including social services, schools, churches and shelters.

He said: "The DSU do extremely well every year and we are so pleased with their efforts, as the gifts that the students and staff have donated are gratefully appreciated.

"I want to thank everyone at 51Âþ»­ most sincerely on behalf of the children who will receive the presents this year."

Alice Davis, a second year Law (LLB) student, led the DSU team who collected the toys. She said: "I was inspired to take part in this project as I was brought up by a single mother, who often struggled to provide for me at Christmas and I want to be able to help children who are in the same position as I was."

Dr Clodagh Harrington, senior lecturer in Politics at 51Âþ»­, was also taking part in the event. She said: "I did this in 2015 and after Christmas that year I realised it was the most worthy thing I had done, so I volunteered again this year.

"It makes you realise the gap between the haves and the have-nots so I am glad to be able to do something, even if it is a small gesture."

Olga Machado, a third year Accounting and Finance student, said: "This is the second year I have helped to wrap presents for Toys on the Table.

"It's a great feeling knowing that I am helping bring a smile to someone's face this Christmas and personally I want to give my time to make someone happy, especially if it is a child."

For more information about today's event or Toys on the Table or if you wish to volunteer with the DSU, please send an email to volunteer@dmu.ac.uk